The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to restart the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries to help ease rising petroleum costs.
PETROAN’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele, said increasing crude oil prices and the rising cost of imported petroleum products made it necessary for Nigeria to maximise its available refining capacity.
Obele said domestic production would help increase the supply of petrol and other petroleum products while reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
His call comes as international oil prices remain elevated amid disruptions linked to tensions between the United States and Iran and uncertainty around crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude closed at $105.83 per barrel on September 16, while West Texas Intermediate stood at $102.43 per barrel, according to the figures cited by Obele.
The higher crude prices have also affected local petroleum product prices. Obele said petrol was selling for between N1,400 and N1,500 per litre in some parts of the country, while diesel had crossed N2,000 per litre.
He warned that sustained increases in energy costs could raise the prices of goods and services and add to inflationary pressure on households and businesses.
According to him, bringing government-owned refineries back into operation would provide additional domestic supply and help Nigeria make better use of its crude resources.
He also urged the government to create an environment that supports private investment and competition across the downstream petroleum sector.
Obele said the Port Harcourt refinery, in particular, should be brought back into production as soon as possible, arguing that its successful operation would provide a practical measure of the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic refining.
He added that restoring refining capacity could also improve public confidence in the petroleum sector and support wider economic activity.
Beyond refinery operations, the PETROAN spokesman called for broader consultation ahead of the proposed resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Obele, an indigene of Eleme in Ogoni, said communities in the area should be involved in decisions concerning oil exploration, environmental restoration, development projects and the distribution of economic benefits from petroleum activities.
He urged the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, traditional rulers, host communities, regulators, oil operators and civil society groups to work together to address outstanding issues and ensure that the resumption of exploration is based on meaningful engagement and peaceful cooperation.
