Kehinde Fajobi
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has partnered with Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during the festive season and beyond.
In a statement on Friday, PETROAN’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele, disclosed that the collaboration followed a business meeting at the Dangote Refinery complex in Lagos.
The meeting, led by PETROAN’s National President, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, established a strategic agreement to avert fuel shortages across Nigeria.
The statement read, “The PETROAN National President commended the Vice President of Dangote Group & Managing Director of Dangote Refinery, Mr Devakumar V. G. Edwin, for his cooperation and strategies deployed so far to make petroleum products available to all Nigerians throughout the end-of-year festivities and beyond.”
It further explained that the deal includes a seller-buyer arrangement with Dangote Refinery, monthly volume reservations for PETROAN, favourable payment terms, and competitive pricing.
While the specifics of the agreement were withheld, the statement assured Nigerians that the general public would benefit from improved product availability and affordability.
Obele reiterated PETROAN’s commitment to preventing fuel scarcity during the yuletide season, citing the efforts of the association’s technical committee.
He noted, “The measures put in place by the association following the commencement of production at the Port Harcourt refinery and fruitful deliberations with the management of Dangote Refinery will definitely avert fuel supply shortages during and after the festive season.”
The association urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying, warning of the dangers of storing fuel at home.
“We caution against panic buying as it is unsafe and dangerous to stock petroleum products at home,” the statement advised.
PETROAN also called on downstream sector stakeholders to support efforts by NNPC Retail Ltd and Dangote Refinery to maintain a steady fuel supply nationwide.
“We hereby reassure Nigerians of PETROAN’s preparedness to ensure zero-scarcity of petroleum products during the upcoming festive season and beyond, as all our retail outlet operators in all the states in Nigeria have been placed on green alert for service,” the statement concluded.