The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has issued a three-day warning ahead of a potential suspension in the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products across the country, starting Tuesday morning.
This action is in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which has declared a nationwide strike beginning Monday, September 8, to protest alleged anti-labour practices connected to the deployment of Dangote Refinery’s new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks.
According to a statement by PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, the strike is not only in defense of workers’ rights but also in opposition to what the association views as monopolistic business practices threatening the future of the downstream petroleum sector.
NUPENG and PETROAN have raised concerns over the direct distribution model introduced by Dangote Refinery, which bypasses traditional supply chains by delivering petroleum products straight to end-users using newly imported CNG trucks.
Dangote officials argue the strategy aims to cut logistics costs, improve energy efficiency, and boost national economic development. However, PETROAN insists this approach undermines fair competition and risks wiping out smaller players in the sector including depot owners, modular refinery operators, truck owners, and retail marketers.
“If left unchecked, these aggressive strategies will force millions into unemployment and cripple businesses across the petroleum value chain,” Gillis-Harry warned.
The PETROAN President has called on President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to urgently intervene before the situation escalates.
He also appealed to the NNPC Group CEO, the Director-General of the DSS, and the Inspector General of Police to step in and help prevent hardship for Nigerians caused by potential fuel shortages.
“We’re advocating for a level playing field, not monopoly. Any attempt to dominate the sector must be resisted for the sake of national interest,” Gillis-Harry added.
Gillis-Harry noted that pump attendants working at PETROAN-affiliated filling stations are also members of NUPENG.
As such, the strike will result in their absence from work, causing disruption in fuel dispensing nationwide.
He warned station owners against penalizing workers who participate in the strike, emphasizing that no employee should be sacked for their involvement.
To enforce this, PETROAN will deploy a 120-man compliance team to monitor activities at fuel outlets and ensure safety.
“This is a peaceful and lawful action in support of workers’ rights and sector sustainability,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with the past, Gillis-Harry cautioned Nigerians not to be swayed by the short-term benefits of Dangote’s pricing or supply model, likening it to the early days of Dangote Cement’s market entry, which critics say eventually led to market dominance and higher prices.
“Let’s not forget how the cement sector evolved. What may seem generous today could lead to monopolistic control tomorrow,” he cautioned.
PETROAN held an emergency general meeting over the weekend, resolving to hold further consultations through Sunday and Monday.
However, if no resolution is reached, the association says its members will begin nationwide suspension of operations early Tuesday.
“PETROAN remains committed to a fair, competitive, and sustainable oil and gas industry. We will stand with other stakeholders to ensure this sector continues to serve the interest of all Nigerians, not just a few,” Gillis-Harry concluded.
