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PETROAN, Azikel Refinery explore partnership to boost local fuel supply – EnviroNews
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The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has opened discussions with Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa State on a structured product offtake partnership aimed at strengthening the supply of locally refined petroleum products to retail outlets across Nigeria.
The engagement took place when a PETROAN delegation, led by its National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, visited the refinery and was received by the Chairman of Azikel Refinery, Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless CFR, and members of the refinery’s management team.
Discussions centred on the refinery’s development and operational plans, as well as opportunities to deepen collaboration between the facility and petroleum products retailers.
A major focus of the meeting was a proposed offtake arrangement that would enable PETROAN members to access petroleum products from Azikel Refinery, subject to mutually agreed commercial, technical and operational terms.
Speaking during the visit, Gillis-Harry said PETROAN was committed to working with indigenous refineries to strengthen Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and improve access to locally refined products.
“The growth of domestic refining capacity presents an important opportunity for Nigeria. As retailers we want to build practical partnerships with indigenous refineries that can improve product availability, strengthen supply chains and create greater certainty for businesses and consumers,” he said.
According to him, the engagement with Azikel Refinery goes beyond a conventional supply arrangement, with PETROAN seeking to establish a sustainable relationship that would provide benefits for both the refinery and petroleum products retailers.
“Our objective is not simply to discuss offtake. We want to establish a dependable supply relationship that works commercially for the refinery and gives our members greater confidence in planning their businesses,” Gillis-Harry stated.
Responding, Azikel Refinery Chairman, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, welcomed the PETROAN delegation and underscored the importance of strategic relationships with petroleum products retail outlets as the refinery progresses with its operations.
The two parties agreed on the need for continued engagement to resolve the commercial and operational requirements necessary for the proposed offtake arrangement.
The discussions come against the backdrop of increasing efforts to expand Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and strengthen the availability of locally refined petroleum products.
For PETROAN, collaboration with indigenous refineries represents part of its broader engagement with stakeholders across the downstream petroleum value chain to develop more reliable supply channels for retailers.
The association said it would continue to engage with domestic refineries, government institutions and other industry stakeholders in pursuit of a more efficient, competitive and sustainable petroleum products market in Nigeria.
