By Hosea Parah

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has defended the continued issuance of petrol import licenses by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), cautioning that any attempt to monopolize the downstream petroleum sector could threaten fuel supply stability and consumer welfare in Nigeria.

The position was made known during the PETROAN Rivers State chapter election held in Port Harcourt on May 18, 2026, where the association’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, voiced concerns over a recent legal challenge filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery against the issuance of fuel import licenses to petroleum marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

In a statement signed by PETROAN’s National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Obele, the association stressed that while organizations have the right to seek legal interpretation through the courts, maintaining healthy competition in the downstream petroleum industry remains crucial for market stability, energy security, and consumer protection.
According to Gillis-Harry, competition among operators is necessary to ensure product availability, fair pricing, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability within the nation’s petroleum distribution network.

“PETROAN advocates for a liberalized downstream market where various operators can operate fairly under appropriate regulatory oversight,” he stated.
The association acknowledged the strategic importance of Dangote Refinery’s investments in expanding local refining capacity, creating employment opportunities, and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products. However, it warned that allowing a single operator to dominate the market could result in exploitative pricing, supply manipulation, reduced consumer choices, and the marginalization of smaller industry players.
PETROAN maintained that a competitive petroleum market would promote fair fuel pricing, improve product availability, enhance customer service delivery, prevent artificial scarcity, and encourage innovation and investment across the sector.
The association also cited provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to justify the legitimacy of continued fuel importation into the country. Referring to Sections 317, 32, 33, and 109 of the Act, PETROAN argued that the NMDPRA possesses the legal authority to issue import licenses whenever necessary to guarantee uninterrupted fuel supply and national energy security.
Furthermore, the association urged stakeholders within the oil and gas industry to prioritize collaboration over conflict, emphasizing the need to place national interest above individual market dominance.
PETROAN reassured Nigerians of its commitment to advocating policies that encourage fair competition, fuel accessibility, price stability, and sustainable growth in the downstream petroleum sector.