The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has announced a three-day forewarning of suspension of lifting and dispensing of petroleum products, starting from the early hours of Tuesday.
PETROAN’s National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, in a statement on Sunday, said the action was “in advocacy for healthy competition as against any form of monopoly in the sector.”
The development comes after the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) declared that its members would embark on a nationwide strike from Monday, Sept. 8, in protest against what it described as anti-union labour practices linked to the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks by the Dangote Refinery for direct product distribution.
Gillis-Harry underscored that NUPENG’s action would be “both lawful and peaceful,” reaffirming PETROAN’s commitment to workers’ rights through constructive engagement.
“PETROAN underscores its commitment to advancing the interests of Nigerian citizens in the pricing stability of the petroleum sector and promoting a stable and productive industry,” he added.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu and key government and security officials to intervene, saying such action was needed to “avert potential hardship and pain on citizens arising from the suspension of lifting and dispensing of petroleum products.”
Gillis-Harry further noted that pump attendants at PETROAN stations were also NUPENG members, stressing that “the strike by NUPENG would mean these attendants would be absent from duty,” and warning filling station owners not to “discipline or sack any pump attendant who would be absent from duty until the end of the strike.”
He cautioned Nigerians against monopolistic tendencies in the oil and gas sector, describing them as a “Father Christmas promise” that could have dire long-term effects.
“Nigerians should be vigilant and not be swayed by promises that may seem beneficial in the short term but could have long-term negative consequences,” he said.
Following an emergency meeting, PETROAN resolved to continue consultations until Monday but maintained that in the event of no fruitful outcome, it would not sanction employees who joined the strike.
“To enforce this decision, a 120-man compliance team will be mobilised as watchdogs to ensure safety of our member’s facilities,” Gillis-Harry stated.
“As a critical player amongst stakeholders, PETROAN will join other stakeholders in ensuring healthy competition in the oil and gas sector to promote a conducive environment for workers, foster sector growth, and ultimately benefit the Nigerian economy.”
