Since Dangote Refinery announced its plan to deliver fuel free of charge nationwide with 4,000 CNG-powered trucks, the initiative has remained one of the most debated developments in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector. While many stakeholders welcomed the investment, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), led by its President Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, has consistently warned that the model must be handled with care to avoid market disruption.
Across several media engagements, Gillis-Harry has restated five key concerns, balancing cautious optimism with clear red flags.
1. Welcoming but insisting on inclusiveness
The PETROAN President has repeatedly described Dangote’s initiative as “timely and reassuring”, particularly in an economy grappling with high logistics costs. However, he insists the model must be inclusive. In his words, “all stakeholders must be at the table” to ensure fairness in distribution and participation.
2. Concerns about depot owners, tanker drivers, and job losses
Gillis-Harry has emphasized that existing depot infrastructure will remain relevant, and any move to sideline them could be destructive. He warned that the rollout is already creating anxiety among tanker drivers and depot operators, with fears of widespread redundancies if Dangote takes over distribution exclusively.
3. “4,000 trucks are not a silver bullet”
He pointed out that 4,000 trucks alone cannot service Nigeria’s vast geography. Rural and underserved communities, in particular, would still rely on depot-to-station structures, making it impractical to assume Dangote’s fleet could replace existing distribution networks.
4. Monopoly concerns and readiness to push back
For Gillis-Harry, the fuel business thrives when each segment of the value chain plays its proper role: “Refiners should refine, depots should store, and retailers should retail,” he said, warning against monopolistic moves. He has also hinted that PETROAN could mobilize pushback, including industrial action, if Dangote’s initiative undermines competition in the downstream market.
5. Calls for transparency on pricing and commercial terms
Another recurring point from the PETROAN President is the need for transparent commercial terms. He stressed that Dangote must disclose pricing to retail outlet owners and engage them in structured discussions to prevent uncertainty in pump pricing.