The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has clarified that its members lifted Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) from the Port Harcourt Refinery, but not Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol).
According to PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry, the association buys petrol from NNPC through private depots, not directly from the refinery.
PETROAN members lifted diesel and kerosene from the Port Harcourt Refinery, with allocations running into tens of millions of litres.
The association did not buy commercial petrol from NNPC during the distribution process from the depot. PETROAN buys petrol from NNPC through private depots.
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Gillis-Harry expressed PETROAN’s support for Dangote Refinery, stating that the association wants to encourage and support the refinery’s success. He emphasised that PETROAN is a patriotic organisation that supports Nigeria’s internal refining efforts.
Dangote Refinery will commence petrol and diesel distribution across Nigeria from August 15, 2025, using 4,000 new CNG-powered tankers and offering free logistics support to registered dealers and consumers.
Kelvin Emmanuel highlighted the shortcomings of Nigeria’s public refineries, praising Dangote Refinery for filling the gap with essential solutions that NNPC and private marketers couldn’t provide.
He accused private oil marketers of failing to ensure nationwide access to petrol at fair prices, noting that only Lagos, parts of the South-West, and Abuja benefit from relatively stable PMS pricing.
The development highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s refining sector and the potential benefits of Dangote Refinery’s plans to improve fuel distribution and access. The introduction of CNG-powered tankers and booster stations seeks to lower logistics expenses, broaden fuel access, and support a cleaner energy future for Nigeria.
