…demands true market liberalisation, rejects monopoly by mega facility operator
Oredola Adeola
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has condemned the unequal treatment and exclusion faced by retail outlets in policy implementation, stating that these outlets have become dumping grounds for inconsistent and poorly coordinated policies.
The association also raised concern over existing supply, pricing, and policy challenges confronting gas distribution and the retail segment.
Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of PETROAN, who was represented by Joseph Ehime, Secretary, Lagos State Chapter, raised these concerns at the Oriental News Nigeria 2025 Energy Conference in Lagos, themed “Integrating Nigeria’s Gas Potentials into Strategic Energy Transition Initiatives.”
The association has therefore called for true market liberalisation, insisting that no single major player with one mega facility should be allowed to dominate the market, even with government support.
Ehime, in his comment, said, “PETROAN represents all the retail stations across the country- 20,000 plus.
“Everything radiates around us; we are the ones to meet. We need collaboration and partnership,” he said.
He accused regulators of distorting the downstream market, “All regulators are taking advantage of every litre because they do not understand the economics of the entire downstream sector.
“Most activities within the midstream and downstream sector are not transparent, especially on the product supply end and regulations.
“Government should make things easier and stop being a roadblock to investors,” he said.
He called out the Dangote Refinery and its trucking initiative, demanding transparency.
He said, “We need Dangote, through his trucking initiatives, to explain how he intends to do this without affecting other players in the downstream sector.
“We should not create an environment that is not sustainable. This quick-fix solution may be helpful in the short run, but it will end up in chaos in the medium and long term.”
He further warned of investment losses due to hostile business conditions
According to him, “Our members have invested heavily in this sector, but we have not been making returns on our investments.
“The enabling infrastructure is not on the ground. We’ve invested in gas distribution facilities.”
On pricing and sustainability, he said, “Retailers are struggling under rising operational costs.
According to Ehime, retail station operators are under pressure from high running costs and low margins.
“Today, to source credit from banks is very tough. Running a filling station now; there is no more profit.
“There are no serious buyers because customers are buying less due to high prices. We need to pay for electricity, staff, and burn diesel to run generators.”
“We have a lot of miscellaneous costs, including DPR, Weights and Measures, and other agencies.
“Petroleum product retailers are on the waiting list in the value chain. We are like a dumping ground where everyone, including government agencies, would come and dump all sorts of things. We are at a disadvantage,” PETROAN Secretary, Lagos State Chapter said.
