The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has listed the causes of the fuel queues recently seen in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and some parts of the country.
Naija News reports that the company, in a statement on Monday, disclosed that the queues are due to the disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from a recent thunderstorm.
The 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.
NNPC Ltd also cited 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.
The Company noted that adherence to these regulations is mandatory as any deviation could pose a severe danger to the trucks, filling stations and human lives.
It said the development was compounded by consequential flooding of truck routes, which constrained the movement of PMS from the coastal corridors to the Federal Capital, Abuja.
While urging motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding petroleum products, NNPC assured it is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore a seamless supply of petrol to affected areas.
The company added that loading has commenced in areas affected by queue, and it hopes the situation would continue to improve in the coming days and full normalcy would be restored.