The National President of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Musa Mohammed Maitokobi, has called on Nigerians to remain God-fearing and moderate their profit margins as the country grapples with rising fuel prices.
Maitokobi made the appeal while briefing journalist shortly after his visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, the RTEAN president described the APC secretariat as a “home of peace, gathering and new hope for the country,” adding that anyone visiting the party headquarters should be welcomed rather than questioned.
Addressing concerns about the rising cost of fuel and its impact on transportation, Maitokobi said the situation was not unique to Nigeria but part of a global challenge.
“This is not a problem of Nigeria alone; it is a world problem. You and I can only pray to God Almighty to stop what is happening and bring the price down,” he said.
He explained that transport operators, like other business owners, cannot sell services below cost when prices of fuel and other inputs increase. However, he noted that members of the association often reduce their profit margins to ease the burden on commuters.
“Don’t expect that somebody went out as a businessman, bought something at ten naira, and you expect him to sell it at nine naira. But what we do is reduce our gains. Instead of gaining ten naira, we may take five naira so that we can assist ourselves and the public,” he said.
Maitokobi also urged Nigerians to act responsibly in their businesses, stressing that fairness and moderation are essential during difficult economic periods.
“My call to Nigerians is that we should have fear of God so that we can do something we can defend before God Almighty. If you buy something at a cheap price, sell it cheaply. If you buy it at a high price, try to minimize the profit and bring the price down,” he added.
On concerns about the involvement of transport unions in election-related violence, Maitokobi clarified that RTEAN is distinct from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), which has often been mentioned in such allegations.
He explained that RTEAN was not part of the unions that initially signed the electoral code of conduct in 1999 due to leadership crises at the time. However, he said the association is now united and prepared to play a lawful role in future elections, particularly in logistics and equipment delivery.
Maitokobi also expressed support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying strong performance deserves another mandate.
“Well done deserves a second time,” he said when asked whether the president merits a second term in office.
Outlining the association’s vision for the road transport sector, the RTEAN president said the organization is working to eliminate thuggery and “agberoism” in transport operations while tackling crimes such as “one chance.”
He added that the association is also pursuing the digitalization of the transport sector to improve transparency and efficiency.
According to him, the growing adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in Nigeria is another sign of progress in the sector.
“In the former government, the issue of CNG did not arise. But now if you go to a CNG station, you will see no less than 150 to 200 vehicles on queue, whereas before you could not even meet one,” he said.
Maitokobi expressed optimism that the association will achieve its goals in transforming the road transport sector in Nigeria.
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