The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has issued a three-day notice of suspension of fuel lifting and dispensing, beginning Tuesday, in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

In a statement on Sunday, PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, said the decision was aimed at resisting monopolistic practices in the downstream sector, following Dangote Refinery’s deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks for direct fuel distribution.

NUPENG had earlier announced that its members would embark on strike on Monday, September 8, accusing the Dangote operation of undermining labour rights and threatening the survival of independent players in the industry.

According to Gillis-Harry, the strike will be peaceful but firm, stressing that pump attendants at PETROAN-member filling stations are also NUPENG members and would not report for duty. He warned station owners against penalising any worker participating in the action.
“PETROAN underscores its commitment to advancing the interests of Nigerian citizens in pricing stability and promoting a fair and productive industry,” he said.

He urged President Bola Tinubu, petroleum authorities, security chiefs, and the NNPC Ltd to intervene urgently to avert nationwide hardship.

He argued that Dangote’s direct distribution strategy, while presented as a cost-saving and efficiency measure, would eventually push depot owners, modular refineries, marketers, truck drivers, and retail operators out of business, with “millions” of jobs at risk.

Gillis-Harry likened the unfolding scenario to the cement industry, warning Nigerians against being swayed by short-term benefits of monopoly.

PETROAN said it had held emergency consultations but resolved that if no solution is reached by Monday, its members would halt operations from early Tuesday. A 120-man compliance team is to be deployed to protect facilities and enforce the resolution.