PETROAN Applauds FG’S Petrol Discount Policy, Seeks 30% Share Of Discounted Petrol To Ensure Wider National Reach

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, announced the initiative during a press briefing in Abuja, explaining that the scheme would cover petrol supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), with public transport operators identified as priority beneficiaries.

PETROAN said the intervention is coming at a critical period, noting that transportation costs have a direct impact on the prices of food, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other essential commodities.

PETROAN further emphasised that its extensive network of retail outlets cuts across virtually all Local Government Areas, communities and villages in Nigeria. The association has therefore appealed to the Federal Government to allocate 30% of the total volume of discounted petrol to PETROAN, noting that such an allocation would facilitate wider national distribution and ensure that the benefits of the intervention reach Nigerians across both urban and rural communities.

The association also stated that, given its extensive grassroots presence and direct relationship with petroleum consumers, PETROAN is strategically positioned to champion and pilot the Federal Government’s 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.
PETROAN can state unequivocally that 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, according to a press release on Friday, the association has now requested that 30% 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.

PETROAN the statement also stated 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.

PETROAN noted that the policy could provide significant economic relief if properly implemented. A reduction in the cost of petrol for public transport operators could translate into lower transportation fares, putting more disposable income in the hands of commuters and households.

The association said the policy could also reduce the cost of moving agricultural produce from rural communities to urban markets. This could help moderate the prices of food and other essential commodities, particularly where transportation and logistics account for a significant portion of the final cost.

PETROAN further noted that lower transportation costs could support small businesses, traders, farmers, manufacturers and other productive sectors that depend heavily on road transportation. Reduced logistics expenses could enable businesses to sustain operations, protect jobs and improve productivity.
The association also believes that the intervention could help ease inflationary pressures by reducing the transportation component embedded in the prices of goods and services. If the savings are effectively transmitted across the supply chain, consumers could experience some relief from the current cost-of-living pressures.
Speaking on the development, the National President of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, commended the Federal Government for recognising the strategic importance of transportation to the Nigerian economy.
Dr. Gillis-Harry said the intervention could produce benefits beyond the transport sector, explaining that when transport operators spend less on petrol, commuters could benefit from more affordable fares, traders could move goods at lower costs, farmers could access markets more efficiently, and businesses could reduce logistics expenses.
He, however, urged the Federal Government to ensure that the programme is implemented transparently and efficiently, with clear guidelines on the exact discount per litre, eligible beneficiaries, monitoring mechanisms and distribution channels.
The PETROAN National President stressed that the success of the policy should not only be measured by the volume of petrol sold at a discount but also by its actual impact on transportation fares, food prices, business operating costs and household purchasing power.

PETROAN therefore called on NNPC, transport operators, petroleum marketers, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to cooperate fully to ensure that the intervention achieves its intended objectives.
The association also urged the Federal Government to carefully assess the outcome of the 30-day programme and consider further measures that could sustain the economic benefits if the intervention produces measurable reductions in transportation costs and inflationary pressures.
PETROAN reiterated its commitment to supporting policies that promote affordable petroleum products, lower logistics costs, economic stability, sustainable business activity and improved living standards for Nigerians.