The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN has urged the Rivers State government to declare a state of emergency on the activities of the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products, ADITOP, a new group trying to enter the oil and gas sector without following proper procedures.
PETROAN in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele expressed concern that the group is using Rivers State as a testing ground for its nationwide expansion.
According to PETROAN, while it is impossible for any new group to gain recognition in the Nigerian oil and gas sector without the endorsement of stakeholders led by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum (oil), the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, NUPENG as a critical stakeholder cannot be neglected by any group trying to gain entrance.
PETROAN disclosed that NUPENG had already suspended all petroleum products lifting in Rivers State due to an internal union crisis between ADITOP and PTD.
“The situation has led to a shutdown of the oil and gas sector in Rivers State since January 16th, 2025 with potential severe economic implications for the state.
“PETROAN is advising the government and stakeholders to intervene quickly to resolve the crisis and prevent any disasters that could lead to billions of losses in revenue, lives, and properties.
“If the crisis is not resolved quickly, it can lead to serious fuel scarcity in Rivers State, causing hardship to residents and further economic losses. Therefore, prompt action is necessary to prevent this scenario”, PETROAN warned.
It added that the National President of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry has directed all his members in Rivers State to show solidarity to NUPENG and PTD in a show of unity.
“This directive is aimed at supporting the two unions in their efforts to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy to the oil and gas sector in the state”, the group said.
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