By Patrick Idowu
The Federal Government has pledged full support for the Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), to accelerate the expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), distribution outlets across the country.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, made this commitment on Tuesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by PETROAN President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry.
“We look forward to the day when every fuel station will have CNG components. Since we have adopted gas as our transition fuel, we will support the rapid expansion of CNG outlets alongside existing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel, and kerosene pumps,” Lokpobiri stated.
He commended PETROAN’s role in ensuring stable petroleum product distribution and acknowledged that full deregulation of the sector had unlocked investment opportunities.
Addressing recent speculations, the minister dismissed claims that the Naira-for-crude scheme had been scrapped, clarifying that it remains operational between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), and Dangote Refinery.
Lokpobiri also supported PETROAN’s request for representation on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), board but noted that legal amendments would be required.
In response, Gillis-Harry praised the minister’s achievements, including increased crude oil production, revitalized refineries, and efforts to curb oil theft.
He called for a permanent petroleum product allocation for PETROAN and endorsed advanced monitoring systems to enhance product distribution nationwide.
