The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has asked the federal government to allocate 30 percent of petrol under its 30-day discount scheme to its members, arguing that their nationwide retail network could help extend the intervention to underserved communities and reduce transportation costs.
Key Highlights
- PETROAN wants 30 percent of the FG’s discounted petrol allocated to its members.
- The association says its outlets can reach rural areas without NNPCL retail stations.
- PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry called for clear implementation guidelines to prevent irregularities.
- The association wants the scheme judged by its impact on fares, food prices and household purchasing power.
- PETROAN also urged the FG to use its network to accelerate CNG adoption.
The association said allocating part of the discounted fuel to its members would expand access beyond major cities and commercial centres, particularly in rural areas where Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail stations may not be available.
PETROAN made the demand while welcoming the federal government’s initiative, announced by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, which targets public transport operators as priority beneficiaries.
In a statement, PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, said the association’s extensive network of petroleum retail outlets could help ensure that the benefits of the intervention reach more Nigerians.
He argued that reducing fuel costs for transport operators could lower commuting expenses, ease the movement of agricultural produce to markets and reduce logistics costs for businesses.
According to the association, transportation expenses significantly influence the prices of food, manufactured goods and other essential commodities, making the cost of moving people and goods a major factor in Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis.
PETROAN said involving its members in the programme would enable the government to distribute discounted petrol through existing retail infrastructure across local government areas, towns and remote communities.
The association maintained that the intervention could benefit farmers, traders, manufacturers and small businesses if savings on fuel and transportation are passed on to consumers through lower fares and reduced prices of goods.
Call For Clear Guidelines
However, Gillis-Harry called on the federal government to establish clear implementation guidelines to prevent irregularities and ensure that the discount reaches its intended beneficiaries.
He said the government should specify the discount per litre, the categories of eligible beneficiaries, distribution channels and monitoring mechanisms.
The PETROAN president also urged the authorities to assess the programme based on its actual impact on transport fares, food prices, business operating expenses and household purchasing power, rather than merely measuring the volume of petrol sold at discounted rates.
He said the effectiveness of the 30-day initiative should be determined by whether it delivers measurable relief to Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
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- NNPC 30-Day Petrol Discount Sparks Opposition Backlash as Presidency Denies Subsidy Return
- FG Announces 10-Point Plan, N1,350 Petrol Landing Cost Ceiling
CNG Adoption And Review
Beyond the petrol discount scheme, PETROAN urged the federal government to leverage its nationwide retail network to accelerate the distribution and adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel.
The association said its grassroots presence could help improve access to CNG, particularly in underserved communities, while supporting the government’s efforts to diversify the country’s energy sources and promote cleaner fuel options.
It also called on the NNPCL, transport operators, petroleum marketers and relevant government agencies to work together to ensure the discount scheme achieves its intended objectives.
PETROAN further urged the federal government to review the programme at the end of the 30-day period and consider extending or introducing additional interventions if the scheme produces measurable reductions in transportation costs and inflationary pressures.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies aimed at improving petroleum product distribution, lowering logistics expenses and reducing the economic burden on Nigerian households.
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