Retailers say nationwide network can widen reach of 30-day intervention, ease transport fares and help curb food price pressures
By Heapnews
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has urged the federal government to allocate 30% of petrol supplied under its 30-day discount scheme to its members, saying their nationwide network could extend the benefits to underserved communities.
The association welcomed the initiative, announced by Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele, which covers petrol supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and identifies public transport operators as priority beneficiaries.
PETROAN said lower petrol costs for transport operators could help reduce fares and the cost of moving agricultural produce and other goods, potentially easing pressure on household budgets amid high living costs.
It said its retail outlets operate across local government areas, towns and villages, including remote communities without NNPC retail stations, making its network suitable for distributing discounted fuel beyond major urban centres.
“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 National President Billy Gillis-Harry said.
He called for transparent implementation, including clear guidelines on the discount per litre, eligible beneficiaries, monitoring mechanisms and distribution channels.
PETROAN said lower transport and logistics costs could benefit farmers, traders, manufacturers and small businesses by reducing the cost of moving goods and supporting business operations.
However, the association did not specify the proposed allocation mechanism or provide estimates of how much the discount could reduce transport fares or consumer prices.
The group also urged the government to consider using its retail network to expand access to compressed natural gas (CNG), saying existing outlets could help accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels in communities with limited access to such options.
PETROAN called on the NNPC, transport operators, petroleum marketers and relevant government agencies to cooperate in implementing the scheme and urged the government to assess its impact after the 30-day period.
It said further measures could be considered if the programme produces measurable reductions in transport costs and inflationary pressures.