The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has said that the current fuel queues seen in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and some parts of the country, were as a result of disruption of ship-to-ship transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from recent thunderstorm.
The national oil company said 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.
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“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 company said in a statement signed by its chief corporate communications officer, Olufemi Soneye, on Monday.
The NNPC Ltd explained 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.
“Adherence to these regulations is mandatory as any deviation could pose severe danger to the trucks, filling stations and human lives,” it said.
Similarly, the development was compounded by consequential flooding of truck routes, which has constrained movement of PMS from the coastal corridors to the FCT Abuja.
He noted that the NNPC Ltd was working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore seamless supply of petrol to affected areas.
Soneye added that already loading has commenced in areas where the challenges have subsided, and the NNPCL was hoping the situation would continue to improve in the coming days and full normalcy will be restored.
The NNPC also called on motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding of petroleum products.