The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have urged the Federal government to extend the planned fuel price discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets to other filling stations across the country.
The National Presidents of PETROAN and IPMAN, Billy Gillis-Harry and Abubakar Maigandi, respectively disclosed this separately on Friday.
The Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, during a press conference on Thursday, announced a 30-day fuel price discount, with a fixed gantry price of N1,350 per litre at NNPCL filling stations.
Oyedele clarified that the proposal does not mean a return to fuel subsidy regime.
However, opposition figures, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, described the move as a publicity stunt that would not address the economic hardship Nigerians face.
But Gillis-Harry and Maigandi acknowledged the 30-day fuel price discount as a good initiative.
Gillis-Harry said PETROAN had always advocated government intervention to cushion the effects of fuel price hikes on Nigerians.
He urged the government to extend the discount to petroleum product retailers nationwide so that more Nigerians could benefit from the initiative.
“PETROAN has always advocated solutions to rising fuel prices. The move is a solution, although it is temporary. We would recommend that the discounted fuel be extended to our members to boost the reach of the initiative,” he said.
Similarly, Maigandi said any initiative aimed at reducing fuel prices is welcome.
He also urged the Tinubu-led government to extend the discount to IPMAN members for greater impact on Nigerians.
“Well, in fact, you know, a decision to reduce prices is always good. What the government did is good. But what we are actually saying is that the government should extend the discount to every marketer, not only NNPCL filling stations,” he said.
Petrol currently sells at between N1,370 and N1,400 per litre at retail outlets, while Dangote Refinery’s gantry price stands at N1,350 per litre.