The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners has backed the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers to shut down petrol distribution in Nigeria on Monday, 8 September, over a face-off with Dangote Refinery.

The national president of NARTO, Yusuf Lawal Othman, made this stance known in a statement on Sunday.

This comes after NUPENG on Sunday told members to down tools on Monday over anti-labour practices by Dangote Refinery.

Dangote Refinery plans to roll out 4,000 compressed natural gas trucks with the intention to dump existing drivers under NUPENG’s membership.

Reacting to the development, NARTO said it is in solidarity with NUPENG.

NARTO stated that it strongly and unequivocally rejects the planned distribution of petroleum products by Dangote Refinery in the oil and gas downstream sector.

According to NARTO, the Dangote initiative is a deliberate attempt to eliminate thousands of independent transporters.

Consequently, NARTO urged the federal government and Dangote Refinery to create a meaningful dialogue among stakeholders to address the matter.

“The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) wishes to notify all stakeholders and the general public of its firm position in support of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the ongoing struggle against monopolistic and anti-competition practices being advanced by the Dangote Group in the downstream oil and gas sector.

“Such an approach is not only unsustainable but is also a deliberate attempt to undermine and eliminate the thousands of independent transporters who form the backbone of Nigeria’s petroleum distribution network.

“At present, NARTO members collectively operate more than 30,000 trucks across the country, employing thousands of drivers, assistants, and service providers.

“These operations sustain millions of dependants and are supported by financial commitments from both local and international banks, as well as marketers and depot owners.

“In light of the above, NARTO calls on: The Federal Government and its relevant ministries, departments, and Agencies (MDAS). The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). The Dangote Group itself. To immediately create a forum for meaningful dialogue among all stakeholders.

“Such a platform must be aimed at ensuring that no operator is strangled, that fair competition is guaranteed, and that the welfare of millions of Nigerians who depend on the petroleum transport and distribution sector is safeguarded.

“NARTO reaffirms its total support for NUPENG in this struggle and emphasises that our collective action is not against investment or industrial growth but against monopolistic practices that threaten jobs, national security, and the broader Nigerian economy,” it said.