Yemisi Izuora
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has applauded the Federal Government for introducing a 30-day petrol discount scheme aimed at reducing transportation costs and easing the economic burden on Nigerians.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, on Thursday said government proposes a measure to cap petrol prices at about 1,350 naira ($1.02) per litre, asking refiners and fuel importers to absorb temporary increases and recoup losses once costs ease.
The Minister explained that the scheme would cover petrol supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), with public transport operators identified as priority beneficiaries.
The Association also stated that, given its extensive grassroots presence and direct relationship with petroleum consumers, it is strategically positioned to champion and pilot the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative across the country.
According to PETROAN, leveraging its existing retail network for CNG deployment would accelerate accessibility, encourage adoption of cleaner and more affordable alternative fuel, and support the Federal Government’s broader energy-transition and economic objectives.
In a statement Dr. Joseph Obele, National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the marketing Association, said its retail outlets have a presence in some of the most remote and underserved locations across Nigeria, including communities where NNPC retail outlets are not available.
This extensive grassroots network gives PETROAN a unique capacity to take petroleum products and government interventions beyond major cities and commercial centres to the people in rural communities.
Consequently, PETROAN is requesting that 30 per cent of the total volume of discounted petrol be allocated through its retail network to guarantee wider national distribution and ensure that the benefits of the intervention reach Nigerians across Local Government Areas, towns, villages and hard-to-reach communities.
The Association also believes that the same nationwide retail network makes the association strategically positioned to champion and pilot the CNG initiative. By leveraging existing retail outlets and grassroots market penetration, CNG can be introduced more rapidly across the country, particularly in communities where access to alternative energy solutions remains limited.