The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) has attributed the tightness in fuel supply and distribution witnessed in some part Lagos and FCT to hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.
The company, in a statement by its spokesperson, Mr Olufemi Soneye, on Saturday, further stated that it was working round the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy in the operations.
The statement comes as some filling stations in Abuja and neighbouring states witnessed total shutdown at weekend as worries spread over planned nationwide protest over economic hardship in the country.
Recalls that only three weeks ago, Nigerians witnessed a resurgence of fuel queues in Abuja and some parts of the country, which NNPC Ltd blamed on 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 company had in a statement, 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.
According to the company, “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.
“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,” it said.
NNPC Ltd however noted that it was working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore seamless supply of petrol to affected areas.