The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has secured a major deal with Dangote Refinery to ensure smooth fuel supply during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Dr. Joseph Obele, the National Public Relations Officer of PETROAN, made the announcement in a statement on Friday.
The agreement followed a strategic business meeting between PETROAN, led by its National President, Dr. Billy Hary, and the management of Dangote Refinery on December 2, 2024.
This development comes as a relief to Nigerians, who often face fuel shortages during the festive season.
Obele described the meeting as a “fruitful negotiation,” adding that the collaboration between PETROAN and Dangote Refinery will avert the perennial fuel scarcity.
According to him, PETROAN’s technical distribution committee has worked out a robust zero-scarcity strategy to ensure a steady flow of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) nationwide.
He assured Nigerians that all measures are in place to make holiday travels stress-free.
“We are happy that Nigerians are going to travel effortlessly during this period of the year,” he said.
The collaboration also guarantees a reserved monthly volume of PMS for PETROAN members, with favorable payment terms agreed upon.
Dr. Obele commended the Vice President of Dangote Group and Managing Director of Dangote Refinery, Devakumar Edwin, for his dedication and strategic planning.
He noted that this partnership will ensure availability and affordability of fuel for the general public.
“This is a win for all Nigerians. We urge everyone to remain calm and avoid panic buying,” Obele added.
He further warned against the dangerous practice of storing petroleum products at home, calling it unsafe and unnecessary.
“PETROAN dismisses any form of fuel scarcity concerns. We encourage stakeholders to support the management of NNPC Retail Ltd. and Dangote Refinery to sustain supply efforts,” Obele said.
This agreement adds another layer of security for the festive season, as the Port Harcourt refinery has also commenced production to bolster supply.
Obele expressed satisfaction with the efforts of PETROAN’s retail outlet operators, who have been placed on green alert nationwide.
“PETROAN’s preparedness to deliver fuel during the festive season and beyond is unquestionable,” he assured.
The deal between PETROAN and Dangote Refinery underscores the importance of private-sector partnerships in addressing national challenges.
With Nigerians preparing for the busy holiday season, the assurance of uninterrupted fuel supply is a welcome development.
Fuel shortages have historically caused travel disruptions and hardship during the Yuletide, making this announcement a significant milestone.
