PETROAN opens talks with Azikel Refinery on direct product supply
Nigeria’s petroleum retailers’ association is discussing a proposed offtake arrangement with Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa State. PETROAN said direct access to locally refined products could improve availability and supply planning, while the refinery said it welcomed stronger links with retail outlets as operations progress.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria has opened discussions with Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa State on a direct supply arrangement for locally refined petroleum products. PETROAN national president Billy Gillis-Harry led an association delegation to the refinery in Yenagoa, where they met chairman Eruani Godbless and members of the management team. The association said the discussions covered the refinery’s development and operating plans and possible cooperation with petroleum retailers.
The proposed offtake arrangement would give PETROAN members access to products from the refinery, subject to agreement on commercial, technical and operational terms. The two sides agreed that further engagement would be needed to resolve those requirements. Gillis-Harry said PETROAN wanted to work with indigenous refineries as domestic refining capacity developed.
He said a dependable supply relationship could improve product availability, strengthen supply chains and give retailers greater certainty in planning their businesses. The PETROAN president said the association’s objective extended beyond discussing purchases. He said the proposed relationship needed to work commercially for the refinery while giving retail outlets confidence in their supplies.
Godbless welcomed the delegation and said strategic relationships with retail outlets were important as Azikel Refinery progressed with its operations. No final agreement or start date for product deliveries was announced in the material provided. PETROAN said the discussions formed part of its broader engagement with domestic refineries, government institutions and other stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector.
The association said it would continue seeking partnerships intended to support a more efficient, competitive and sustainable petroleum-products market in Nigeria.
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