The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria says it has commenced dialogue with the Nigerian government over the payment of one hundred billion naira bridging claims owed to petroleum products marketers to halt a nationwide shutdown.

The President of PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this in a statement after the association gave the government a seven-day ultimatum over the failure by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to clear its one hundred billion naira bridging claim.

It stressed that shutdown of the sector would have devastating consequences, such as fuel scarcity, economic disruption, and hardship for the Nigerian people.