The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced that fuel stations will be open longer hours to provide and distribute petrol, urging stations to help with availability given the current tight situation. The company stated that the turnaround time for Premium Motor Spirit trucks has also been extended to alleviate the current problem.

Dapo Segun, Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Ltd, stated this on Monday, 8 July 2024, in Abuja during a joint inspection of stations by the corporation and officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA)

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the NNPC and the NMDPRA have collaborated to monitor the supply and distribution of petrol stations in the Federal Capital Territory and across the country in order to eliminate queues. The NNPC had stated that fuel queues in the FCT and other parts of the country were caused by disruptions in ship-to-ship fuel transfer between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels caused by recent thunderstorms.

It stated that bad weather conditions, including rainstorms and lightning, had also impacted berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and product transit to filling stations, interrupting station supply logistics. Segun stated, during the inspection that there was a gap in the ship-to-shore discharge of PMS, which he described as a volatile liquid, and that during thunderstorms, it could not be discharged and ship-to-shore movement had to be suspended.

This also disrupted truck loading at the depot for safety concerns, so we had to pause all of that during thunderstorms, which is why you see this tightness. “Though we face a difficulty with the terrible stretches of roads that have worsened owing to storms and flooding around the country, we will ensure that we load out all weekend and mobilize trucks.

We are getting fuel stations to run longer hours, and we are getting marketers to collaborate and share stocks, so instead of having a station with more trucks, they can release those trucks to other stations for circulation,” he said.

Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, NWDPRA, said the congestion in Abuja and parts of Lagos was caused by bad weather, which disrupted offshore operations and truck routes. When asked about its efforts to combat hoarding and the criminal activities of black-marketers, Ukoha stated that its officers were on the ground, going through stations and depots to ensure there was no hoarding.

“Because of the scarcity of supplies, some people may try to take advantage of this. We assure Nigerians that they can go about their activities and purchase the volume they require without fear,” he added. Ukoha stated that there was no intention or projected plan to increase fuel pump prices, and that the two institutions will continue to collaborate to maintain energy security.

On this basis, he stated that the authority had completed its regulation of national strategic stock and framework, and that it was on the verge of implementing the framework. “Again the sensitivity on the pump price is another matter, once those national strategic stocks are in place the logistic issues we have will be mitigated to a large extent and stabilise both supply and prices,” Ukoha commented.

According to NAN, the team assessed fuel stations in the FCT, including the NNPC Ltd. Retail Outlet at Katampe and the AP fuel station on Ibrahim Way in Garki 2. Both stations had long queues. The station managers also certified that there was enough stock, and that the pumps poured fuel to motorists precisely and with steady energy.

Motorists on the ground also urged the government to find long-term solutions and expressed varied feelings, as some spent more time queuing for petrol while others did not waste time before their turns.

(NAN)

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