PETROAN to Suspend Petroleum Products Lifting from Tuesday
By NaijaEnquirer Staff
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has issued a three-day notice of suspension of lifting and dispensing of petroleum products, beginning from the early hours of Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The decision comes as part of the association’s advocacy for healthy competition and resistance to monopolistic practices in Nigeria’s petroleum downstream sector.
Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of PETROAN, made the announcement in Abuja, stressing that the association’s action will be both lawful and peaceful. He emphasized PETROAN’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights, ensuring pricing stability, and fostering a productive petroleum industry for Nigerian citizens.
Dr. Harry called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), the Group CEO of NNPC, the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, the Director General of DSS, and the Inspector General of Police to intervene swiftly in the proposed actions of NUPENG and PETROAN, even while on vacation, to prevent hardship for citizens.
He noted that pump attendants at PETROAN member filling stations are also registered members of NUPENG, meaning the strike action would keep attendants away from duty. To protect workers, filling station owners were instructed not to discipline or dismiss any absent attendants until the strike ends.
PETROAN has consistently opposed monopolistic tendencies in the sector. Dr. Harry warned that the aggressive strategies of Dangote Refinery could force private depot owners, modular refineries, marketers, retail owners, and transport operators out of business, potentially causing mass unemployment and worsening Nigeria’s economic challenges.
He further cautioned Nigerians to be wary of monopoly-driven promises, likening them to a “Father Christmas” offer that may seem beneficial initially but could deliver long-term negative consequences, similar to what unfolded in the cement industry.
In preparation for the suspension, PETROAN convened an emergency national general meeting where members resolved to continue consultations through Sunday and Monday. If no resolution is reached, the suspension will proceed on Tuesday. A 120-man compliance team will also be deployed to safeguard member facilities nationwide.
PETROAN reaffirmed its role as a critical stakeholder, pledging to collaborate with other sector players to ensure healthy competition, protect workers, and promote sustainable growth in the oil and gas industry. Attempts to reach the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for comment were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
