NNPC Dismisses Fears of Job Losses From Smart Filling Stations

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has allayed fears that the introduction of smart and self-service filling stations would lead to massive job losses in the downstream petroleum sector.

The company said the deployment of automated stations was part of efforts to improve efficiency and customer experience, stressing that the technology would create new opportunities rather than simply eliminate existing jobs.

NNPC also disclosed plans to transform about 900 of its existing retail outlets across the country into modern energy hubs, as it adapts its retail business to changing consumer needs and developments in the downstream sector.

The disclosures were made yesterday at the commissioning of a 24-hour smart, self-service filling station at the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Retail Operations and Mobility, NNPC Retail Limited, Mr Shettima Kukawa, said the new model was designed to provide customers with faster, more convenient and technology-driven services.

He said the transformation of the company’s retail outlets was not about simply replacing workers with machines, but about creating a modern retail environment capable of providing more services to customers.

Mr Kukawa explained that the smart station allows motorists to purchase fuel through the NNPC fuel app, fund their digital wallets and dispense the exact quantity of fuel they have paid for using a self-service code.

The station has a storage capacity of 180,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 45,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), with 16 PMS pumps and two AGO pumps.

It also has a six-point electric vehicle (EV) charging facility and is primarily powered by a solar system with more than 200kWh capacity.

On his part, the Managing Director, NNPC Retail Limited, Mr Hubb Stokman, said the downstream industry was undergoing significant changes following fuel deregulation and the commencement of operations at the Dangote Refinery.

Mr Stokman said consumers were also demanding more services at filling stations, pointing out that the traditional fuel-only model was no longer sufficient to meet their expectations.

“Today shows that the downstream industry is changing after the fuel deregulation and also the start-up of the Dangote Refinery. Our industry is rapidly changing, and I think that more than ever, we need to meet the needs of the Nigerian consumer and their wishes.

“They want to see more services, like a fast food restaurant, convenience shop, maybe a coffee shop, banks. They would like to have a lounge or car wash. All these things that you will see here,” he said.

The Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration, NMDPRA, Mr Mustapha Lamorde, said the adoption of technology in fuel retailing must go hand in hand with safety and environmental responsibility.

“For us in NMDPRA, we would like to match efficiency and the use of technology with safety, environmental stewardship, and also, you know, a good commitment to our environment,” Mr Lamorde said.

He said the regulator would continue to support developments that improve efficiency while ensuring that safety standards and environmental considerations were not compromised.