Don’t Join Hardship Protest, NARTO Warns Members

Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has cautioned its members against participating in actions that could undermine the federal government.

The admonition came ahead of the planned nationwide protest on August 1, which is being organised under the hashtag #EndBadGovernance.

The planners want the protest to hold in the 36 states of the federation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to the organisers to call off the protest, assuring them that his administration is committed to alleviating Nigerians’ economic difficulties.

Serving governors, including eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers, have equally launched similar appeals, urging them to halt the protest.

NARTO president Yusuf Othman, in a statement issued at the weekend in Abuja, emphasised that the association would not support any protest led by anonymous organisers unwilling to engage in dialogue with the government. He urged NARTO members to remain focused on their professional responsibilities and avoid being influenced by individuals with hidden agendas.

Othman acknowledged the economic hardships in the country but noted that the current administration is actively addressing these challenges.

He stated, “We recognise the economic difficulties, but we also see the administration’s sincere efforts to tackle these issues. We will not support actions that disrupt the movement of petroleum products and the haulage of goods and services.”

He also expressed concern that a ten-day protest, as planned by the #EndBadGovernance organisers, would severely damage the fragile economy.

Othman called on NARTO members to demonstrate patriotism and patience and give the administration time to stabilise the economy for the nation’s collective benefit.

“We urge the group to channel their grievances through appropriate and legitimate means so that the government can quickly resolve them.

“We don’t support violent means, as they do not bode well for the country,” he said.