The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has urged the Federal Government to allocate 30 percent of petrol under its 30 day discount scheme to its members to ensure wider distribution and reduce transportation costs nationwide.
The association, while welcoming the initiative announced by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said its extensive retail network could help extend the benefits of the intervention to consumers in urban and rural communities.
The scheme covers petrol supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, with public transport operators identified as priority beneficiaries.
PETROAN said the intervention could help ease the cost of living, noting that transportation expenses significantly influence the prices of food, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other essential commodities.
The association argued that its outlets, which operate across local government areas, towns and remote communities, could facilitate broader distribution, including in locations where NNPC retail stations are unavailable.
It said allocating 30 per cent of the discounted petrol volume to its members would help ensure that the programme reaches Nigerians beyond major cities and commercial centres.
Speaking on the initiative, PETROAN National President, Dr Billy Gillis Harry, commended the Federal Government for recognising the importance of transportation to the wider economy.
He said reducing fuel expenses for transport operators could lead to lower fares for commuters, reduce the cost of moving agricultural produce to markets and ease logistics expenses for businesses.
The association maintained that the benefits could extend to farmers, traders, manufacturers and small businesses, potentially supporting productivity and helping to moderate prices if the savings are passed on to consumers.
However, Gillis Harry urged the government to establish clear guidelines to ensure the programme is implemented transparently and efficiently.
He said the guidelines should specify the discount per litre, eligible beneficiaries, monitoring arrangements and distribution channels.
The PETROAN president also stressed that the programme’s success should be assessed by its impact on transportation fares, food prices, business operating costs and household purchasing power, rather than solely by the volume of petrol sold at discounted rates.
Beyond the petrol discount scheme, PETROAN called on the Federal Government to use its nationwide retail network to accelerate the deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG).
The association said its grassroots presence could support the wider distribution of CNG, improve access to alternative fuel and encourage adoption of cleaner energy options, particularly in underserved communities.
It argued that leveraging existing retail infrastructure could speed up the rollout of CNG and support the government’s energy transition objectives.
PETROAN also called on the NNPC, transport operators, petroleum marketers and relevant government agencies to collaborate to ensure the discount scheme achieves its intended purpose.
The association urged the Federal Government to evaluate the 30 day initiative after its conclusion and consider further measures if it delivers measurable reductions in transportation costs and inflationary pressures.
It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies aimed at improving access to petroleum products, reducing logistics costs and easing the economic burden on Nigerians.