The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited has ascribed the recent scarcity and increase in fuel prices in Abuja to difficulties in product transit caused by thunderstorms and other weather-related issues.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye via his official X handle on Monday.
Soneye identified it as a disruption in ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) between Mother and Daughter Vessels in the country’s capital, FCT.
He said the weather hampered berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and product transit to filling stations, causing disruptions in supply logistics at the stations.
“The NNPC Ltd wishes to state that the fuel queues seen in the FCT and some parts of the country, were as a result of disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from recent thunderstorm.
“The adverse weather condition has also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, causing a disruption in station supply logistics.
“The NNPC Ltd also states that due to flammability of petroleum products and in compliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) regulations, it was impossible to load petrol during rainstorms and lightning,” Soneye said.
Furthermore, he stated that the scarcity was compounded by the flooding of truck routes, which limited the transit of PMS from coastal regions to cities.
He noted that the NNPC is working with stakeholders to fix logistics issues and restore uninterrupted petrol supply to affected locations.
He asked motorists to avoid panic buying and stockpiling because there is enough petrol at each station.
“Similarly, the development was compounded by consequential flooding of truck routes which has constrained movement of PMS from the coastal corridors to the Federal Capital, Abuja.
“The NNPC Ltd is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore seamless supply of petrol to affected areas.
“Already, loading has commenced in areas where these challenges have subsided, and we are hoping the situation will continue to improve in the coming days and full normalcy will be restored,” he stated.
It was reported last week that fuel queues had resurfaced at filling stations around Abuja and the FCT.
Most fueling stations in Abuja were shut, allowing black marketers to take advantage of the situation for profit. They offered ten liters of petrol for between N12,000 and N15,000, which was much higher than the regular price.
