The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced that fuel stations will operate for extended hours to improve the supply and distribution of petrol, addressing the current tight situation, as reported by Vanguard.
This announcement was made by Dapo Segun, the Executive Vice President of Downstream at NNPC, during a joint inspection with officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Monday in Abuja.
NNPC emphasized that the turnaround period for PMS trucking will be extended to alleviate the current supply issues. This follows a joint monitoring initiative by NNPC and NMDPRA to oversee fuel supply and distribution at stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and across the country, aiming to eliminate fuel queues.
According to NNPC, recent thunderstorms disrupted the ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of fuel between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels, contributing to fuel shortages. Additionally, adverse weather conditions, including rainstorms and lightning, have impacted the berthing of ships at jetties, truck load-outs, and the transportation of products to filling stations, thereby disrupting the supply logistics.
During the inspection, Segun explained that the gap in the ship-to-shore discharge of PMS, a volatile liquid, was due to the suspension of operations during thunderstorms for safety reasons. This also affected the loading of trucks at depots.
Segun highlighted challenges such as deteriorated portions of motorways caused by rains and floods but assured that loading operations would continue throughout the weekend. He also mentioned efforts to get fuel stations to operate for longer hours and to encourage marketers to share stocks to improve circulation.
Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, attributed the tight fuel supply in Abuja and parts of Lagos to inclement weather affecting offshore operations and trucking routes. Ukoha assured that measures were in place to prevent hoarding and counteract black-market activities, with officials inspecting stations and depots to ensure compliance.
Regarding fuel pump prices, Ukoha stated that there are no plans to increase prices. He emphasized the ongoing collaboration between NNPC and NMDPRA to ensure energy security. Ukoha also mentioned that the authority has established regulations on national strategic stock and framework, which will soon be operational to mitigate logistical issues and stabilize both supply and prices.
The inspection team visited various fuel stations in the FCT, including the NNPC Ltd. Retail Outlet at Katampe and the AP fuel station located at Ibrahim Way, Garki 2, where long queues were observed. Station managers confirmed that they had adequate stock and that pumps were dispensing fuel accurately and efficiently. Motorists expressed mixed feelings, with some experiencing long wait times and others reporting quicker service. They appealed to the government for lasting solutions to the fuel supply issues.