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PETROAN urges Tinubu to restart govt refineries before January – EnviroNews
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The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to urgently restart and sustainably operate Nigeria’s government-owned refineries before the January election period.
The association made the call while welcoming the petroleum and energy-related messages contained in President Tinubu’s Independence Day address, describing them as an indication of the Federal Government’s continued focus on using the country’s natural resources to support economic growth and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by PETROAN Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Chris Odia, and the National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele, the association said its National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, particularly welcomed the President’s declaration that “we will use our gas to power new industries.”
According to PETROAN, Nigeria’s abundant gas resources could provide the energy required to power industries, create jobs, reduce production costs and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
The association also welcomed President Tinubu’s statement that oil theft has reduced, noting that sustained progress in tackling crude oil theft could help increase production, improve government revenue and strengthen confidence in the petroleum sector.
Gillis-Harry said the President’s emphasis on reducing the cost of production was particularly significant because energy costs directly affect transportation, manufacturing, agriculture and other productive sectors of the economy.
He said the transition from economic reforms to what President Tinubu described as the “age of prosperity” must ultimately be reflected in the real economy and the daily lives of Nigerians.
PETROAN seeks refinery revival
Against this background, PETROAN urged the President to ensure that the government-owned refineries are returned to productive operation.
Gillis-Harry said prolonged refinery inactivity had affected businesses, workers, contractors, transport operators and communities whose livelihoods depend on the petroleum value chain.
He argued that restoring the refineries to sustainable operation would expand domestic refining capacity, strengthen energy security, create economic opportunities and ensure that Nigeria makes better use of its existing national assets.
“This is not simply about restarting refineries. It is about putting national assets back to work for Nigerians,” he said.
PETROAN also said increased domestic refining capacity, alongside privately owned refineries, could contribute to a more competitive downstream petroleum market.
According to the association, greater competition could encourage efficiency and improve product availability, while potentially putting downward pressure on petroleum-product prices.
It, however, acknowledged that pump prices would continue to be influenced by factors including crude oil supply costs, exchange rates, taxes and logistics.
Supply chain critical to sustainable refining
PETROAN stressed that the revival of government-owned refineries must be accompanied by reliable crude oil supply, efficient refinery operations and effective distribution of petroleum products.
The association also acknowledged President Tinubu’s reaffirmation of the administration’s economic reforms and his position against what he described as “addictive subsidies.”
Gillis-Harry said the priority should now be to build a sustainable petroleum market that protects consumers, encourages investment and enables legitimate businesses to operate within a transparent and predictable environment.
He called for stronger cooperation among the Federal Government, NNPC, regulatory agencies, refinery operators, petroleum marketers and other industry stakeholders.
PETROAN welcomed the President’s declaration that “the age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity,” urging the Federal Government to ensure that the new phase produces tangible benefits across the petroleum sector and the wider economy.
“Nigerians want to see the benefits of our natural resources in their businesses, their jobs, their transportation costs and their everyday lives. A functioning domestic refining sector can be an important part of achieving that,” Gillis-Harry said.
PETROAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies aimed at promoting energy security, strengthening domestic refining, improving petroleum-product distribution, encouraging investment and ensuring that Nigeria’s oil and gas resources generate greater value for Nigerians.