Transportation challenges of retailing petroleum products in Akure, Nigeria

Transportation is crucial for the distribution and retailing of petroleum products for consumption. However, the transportation of petroleum products is faced with varying degree of challenges. To this end, this study examines transportation challenges facing efficient retailing of petroleum products in Akure. The study collected data on the location of petroleum retailing points from Ibule to Shasha market on the Ilesa – Akure – Owo expressway in Akure using GPS. Questionnaire survey was also conducted to collect data on the transportation challenges of retailing petroleum products in Akure. The study purposively sampled 126 respondents who are staff of the petroleum products retailing points on Ilesa – Akure – Owo expressway. Point analysis of the GIS and descriptive analysis were employed to analyse the data collected for the study. It was revealed that a total of 42 petrol stations are located within a distance of 15.651Km from Ibule – Shasha market in Akure with an average of 372 metres between two stations. It further showed high cost of fuelling, bad roads and traffic congestion as the most significant transportation challenges facing the retails of petroleum products. It was recommended that the government agency in charge of road maintenance should be more proactive to their responsibilities.Keywords: Petroleum products; retailing points; Akure, transportation challenge