The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has attributed the fuel queues in the FCT and parts of the country to the interruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) due to a recent thunderstorm.
NNPC stated that adverse weather conditions affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and product transportation to filling stations, leading to disruptions in station supply logistics.
The NNPC in a statement issued by its Spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye on Monday, explained that due to the flammability of petroleum products and in compliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) regulations, it was impossible to load petrol during rainstorms and lightning.
“Adherence to these regulations is mandatory as any deviation could pose a severe danger to the trucks, filling stations and human lives.
“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 assured that it is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore a 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,” the company said.
It also called on motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding petroleum products
