The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has stepped up its engagement with indigenous refiners as part of efforts to strengthen domestic petroleum supply.
The National President of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, led a delegation of the association’s executives on an inspection and commercial engagement with Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The visit focused on assessing the refinery’s development, exploring possible collaboration and identifying ways to improve the availability and distribution of locally refined petroleum products.
During the engagement, the delegation received a briefing on the refinery’s development, planned operations, refining capacity and potential areas of partnership with petroleum retailers.
Discussions also centred on a proposed direct supply arrangement that would allow PETROAN members to purchase products from the refinery under agreed commercial and operational terms.
Gillis-Harry said the association was interested in building practical partnerships with indigenous refineries to improve product availability and strengthen supply chains.
He said expanding local refining capacity could help Nigeria reduce its dependence on imported petroleum products.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Azikel Group, Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless, welcomed the initiative and expressed the refinery’s readiness to work with petroleum retailers as it progresses towards commercial operations.
Both parties agreed to sustain discussions on the technical and commercial requirements for the proposed partnership.