The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has asked the Federal Government to allocate 30 per cent of its discounted petrol supply to members under the 30-day relief scheme. The association said its extensive retail network could help distribute the benefits across cities, towns, villages and remote communities nationwide.
PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, commended the government for introducing the intervention to reduce transportation costs and ease the financial burden on Nigerians. The scheme, announced by Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele, provides discounted petrol through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, with public transport operators identified as priority beneficiaries.
The association argued that allocating part of the discounted supply to its members would extend access to communities where NNPC retail outlets are unavailable. It said its grassroots presence would help ensure that the intervention reaches more Nigerians, particularly residents of underserved and hard-to-reach areas.
PETROAN said lower petrol costs could encourage transport operators to reduce fares, leaving commuters with more disposable income. It added that cheaper transportation could reduce the cost of moving agricultural produce and other essential goods, potentially easing food prices and helping businesses manage logistics expenses.
The association also offered to support the Federal Government’s compressed natural gas initiative by using its existing retail network to expand access to alternative fuel. It said this could accelerate CNG adoption, particularly in communities where affordable alternative energy options remain limited.
However, PETROAN urged the government to implement the petrol discount scheme transparently, with clear guidelines on the discount per litre, eligible beneficiaries, distribution channels and monitoring procedures. Gillis-Harry said the programme’s success should be measured by its actual impact on transport fares, food prices, business costs and household purchasing power.
The association called on the NNPC, transport operators, petroleum marketers and relevant government agencies to cooperate in ensuring the scheme achieves its objectives. It also urged the government to assess the results of the 30-day programme and consider further measures if the intervention produces measurable reductions in transportation costs and inflationary pressures.
