The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has called on the Federal Government to introduce temporary intervention measures to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices on Nigerians.
In a statement issued by its National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele,
PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, expressed concern over the steady increase in pump prices in recent weeks, noting that it has placed significant financial pressure on citizens, businesses, and the wider economy.
According to Gillis-Harry, the effects of the price hike are already evident in higher transportation costs, increased prices of goods and services, and a growing strain on the cost of living.
While acknowledging that global crude oil price fluctuations and market realities influence domestic pricing, the association stressed the need for immediate, pragmatic steps to ease the burden on Nigerians. It warned that failure to act promptly could worsen economic hardship, reduce productivity, and heighten instability.
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To address the situation, PETROAN proposed a series of short-term measures, including transportation relief for citizens, improved supply under the naira-for-crude policy to support local refining, and a directive to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to fully resume and sustain operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery.
The association also recommended the introduction of a temporary food subsidy to mitigate rising food costs, alongside accelerated adoption of alternative energy sources such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
PETROAN further called for sustained engagement with stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to develop long-term solutions that ensure energy security, price stability, and a resilient supply chain.
Reaffirming its commitment to collaboration, the association urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action to alleviate current hardships and safeguard the welfare of Nigerians.
