The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has expressed concerns over the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount, warning that the limited number of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets could prevent many Nigerians from benefiting.
PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, raised the concern during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, arguing that the distribution network of NNPC retail stations might not be sufficient to ensure the discount reaches consumers across the country.
The Federal Government recently announced plans to offer a 30-day discount on petrol sold at NNPC outlets as part of efforts to provide relief to Nigerians amid rising energy costs.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, had earlier disclosed the initiative, which is expected to reduce the cost of petrol for consumers during the period.
Reacting to the proposal, Gillis-Harry noted that more than 230 million Nigerians depend on energy to support their daily activities and businesses, stressing that the number of designated outlets could limit the programme’s impact.
He argued that extending the benefit through more retail outlets would make it easier for Nigerians to access petrol at reduced prices.
“Over 230 million Nigerians depend on energy to run their economy, and the number of NNPC outlets might not be enough to implement the discount efficiently,” he said.
The PETROAN president added that independent petroleum retailers could also help distribute the benefits of the proposed intervention if they were given access to discounted petrol.
“If we get petrol at a discount, we’ll be able to sell it to people at a lower price, which is better than having only 15 stations in a city,” he stated.
Gillis-Harry acknowledged that some NNPC retail outlets were members of PETROAN, but maintained that broader participation by petroleum marketers would help the government achieve its objective more effectively.
He welcomed the proposed intervention, describing government support that could quickly ease the burden on Nigerians as a positive development.
However, his comments highlight concerns over the accessibility and distribution of the planned discount, particularly for consumers who may live far from NNPC retail stations.
