The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have distanced themselves from the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP), ahead of a scheduled meeting of the latter’s Board of Trustees and Patrons in Abuja.
The meeting aims to discuss support for truck owners and tackle challenges faced by oil marketers.
However, in separate statements, NARTO and IPMAN leaders expressed concern over ADITOP’s formation and its potential impact on stability in the downstream oil sector.
NARTO President, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, emphasised that ADITOP is an unfamiliar association with no recognised role in petroleum product transportation.
He said, “We wish to put the federal government and all the relevant regulatory agencies in the oil industry on notice that ADITOP is not known to us.
“NARTO is the only registered association accorded recognition to transport petroleum products and we have a good working relationship with the MOMAN, the IPMAN and DAPPMAN being the transporters of their products.”
Similarly, IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, cautioned against the intentions of those behind ADITOP, stating, “We work harmoniously with other stakeholders and do not support any initiatives that might disrupt petroleum product distribution.”