‘Illegal collections’ — oil transporters oppose hike in loading fee by tanker drivers

The Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) has kicked against the “exorbitant increase” of truck loading fees for petrol by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) association.

In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Lawal Danzaki, national president of the association, sought the intervention of the federal government on the matter.

He said the PTD now charges N60,000 per truck for loading and is planning a further increase.

“We in the ADITOP vehemently oppose this. This exorbitant increase places undue burden on the already struggling general public and serves no productive purpose at this critical juncture in the downstream sector,” the national president said.

Danzaki noted that ADITOP firmly believes that no union in the oil and gas industry should be permitted to collect excessive fees for each truck of PMS.

“By doing so, the association aims to restore a fair and just system that promotes cooperation and sustainability across the industry,” he said.

“Due to these unpatriotic and illegal collections, the members of ADITOP wish to inform the general public and all stakeholders in the downstream sector of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry that the association will soon commence nationwide operations.

“This will include but not be limited to nationwide road service and safety measures for members in addition to the collection of levies.

“We cannot stand by and allow this blatant impunity against our members to persist. We urgently call on the federal government to intervene promptly and halt the petroleum tanker drivers from terrorising other stakeholders in the oil industry.”

On July 13, 2023, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) urged the federal government to prevail upon the PTD, to immediately cease the “illegal” fee imposed on its members.