PETROAN wants 30% slice of FG’s discounted petrol

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has welcomed the federal government’s 30-day petrol discount scheme, asking for 30 per cent of the discounted volume to be sold through its members’ outlets.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, had announced the scheme at a press briefing in Abuja. It covers petrol supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), with public transport operators identified as priority beneficiaries.

In a statement, PETROAN said the intervention was coming at “a critical period,” noting that transport costs directly affect the prices of food, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other essential commodities.

The association argued that its retail network reaches virtually every local government area, including remote communities where NNPC outlets are absent. It said a 30 per cent allocation would ensure the benefits reach rural as well as urban Nigerians.

PETROAN also pitched itself for a role in the Federal Government’s compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative, describing the association as “strategically positioned to champion and pilot” the programme nationwide. Using its existing outlets, it said, would speed up access to a cleaner and cheaper alternative fuel.

On the economic impact, PETROAN said cheaper petrol for transport operators could lower fares and leave commuters with more disposable income. It added that reduced haulage costs could moderate food prices, support traders, farmers and manufacturers, and help protect jobs.

The association said the policy could also ease inflationary pressure if the savings are passed down the supply chain.

PETROAN’s National President, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, commended the government for recognising the importance of transportation to the economy.

He said the benefits could extend beyond the transport sector, with lower fares for commuters, cheaper movement of goods for traders and easier market access for farmers.

He, however, urged the government to implement the scheme transparently, with clear guidelines on the exact discount per litre, eligible beneficiaries, monitoring mechanisms and distribution channels.

Gillis-Harry stressed that success should not be judged by the volume of petrol sold at a discount alone. It should be measured by the actual effect on transport fares, food prices, business operating costs and household purchasing power.

The association called on NNPC, transport operators, marketers and relevant government agencies to cooperate fully so the scheme achieves its objectives. It also urged the government to assess the outcome of the 30-day programme and consider measures to sustain any gains if transport costs and inflationary pressures fall measurably.