NARTO Decries Incessant Bandits, Kidnappers' Attacks on Members Nationwide

● Seeks expeditious repair of roads, demands freight review

The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has deplored the rampant attacks by bandits and kidnappers as well as armed robbers on its members, urging the government to intervene.

Speaking at the 24th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the organisation in Abuja, the national President, Yusuf Othman, said that many of the organisation’s drivers and their assistants had been victims of the menaces in recent times.

Othman stated that several of the assets of NARTO had also been hijacked, explaining that after a lull in insecurity a while ago, there had been a resurgence of attacks on its members nationwide.

“The activities of bandits, kidnappers, and thieves have made life miserable for drivers. We have had many cases where drivers were kidnapped while on duty and some had their trucks hijacked at gunpoint along some of the critical routes in the country.

“Many drivers and their assistants have lost their lives and losses incurred from such incidences. Sadly, we have witnessed the resurgence of these ugly incidences recently with the increasing wave of kidnappings in the country, particularly within the federal capital territory, Abuja,” he stated.

The NARTO president explained that the persisting issue of inadequate road infrastructure in the country remains a significant impediment to the seamless movement of people, goods, and services.

He lamented that despite substantial funding allocated by the federal government, such as the N1.6 trillion and N621 billion in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) tax credits, numerous critical road rehabilitation projects were still incomplete.

He argued that the situation may worsen during the rainy season, urging the federal government, specifically the federal ministry of works, to ensure the expeditious completion of the projects to alleviate the hardships faced by road users.

Besides, Othman stated that while the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector is commendable, it has introduced a substantial challenge in determining freight rates.

“Despite our operational costs, particularly in forex and diesel, skyrocketing to unsustainable levels, marketers consistently refuse our requests for freight reviews, citing government restrictions on adjusting petrol pump prices, even when international market prices for the product increase.

“I wish to convey that we have brought this matter to the government’s attention through the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, where it is currently under consideration,” he noted.

Reflecting on the past four years, he listed part of the achievements of NARTO as what he termed the "unprecedented review" of transporter's freight rates five times within last four years as well as acquisition of a new office building in Lagos.

According to him, the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic also led to loss of revenues and many businesses, over the past four years.

Also speaking, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, represented by the Executive Vice President, Downstream, Dapo Segun, lauded NARTO for ensuring undisrupted supply and distribution of products nationwide.

“We can't do that without the support of NARTO. We are pleased with the role of NARTO in recent times. I will be failing in my duty if we don't acknowledge the role you played to mitigate fuel queues.

“We see NARTO as very important stakeholders. We feel your pains and we know how difficult the terrain is, especially at this time. So much investment been put in this economy, but people worry about the viability.

“I like to enjoin you to continue to do what you are doing. There are always good times and tough times. Tough times never last, but tough people and associations like NARTO last,” he added.

In his remarks, the General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Chris Uyot, stated that Nigeria’s security hasn’t been this porous for a long time, describing it as one of the worst ever.

He said part of the insecurity was fuelled by the removal of subsidy on petrol, floating of the naira, inflation among others, which have further impoverished Nigerians and pushed them to crime.

He argued that as it is, there’s no upper or middle class in Nigeria, stressing that all Nigerians, whether rich or poor is currently suffering.