NNPCL blames STS transfer, flooding for return of fuel queues

Adewale Akintaro
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL has blamed the ongoing fuel queues in the Federal Capital Territory, FTC and some parts of the country on disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels occasioned by recent thunderstorm.
According to NNPCL, the hostile weather condition has impacted also berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, causing a disruption in station supply logistics.
The NNPC Ltd also states 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.
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,” NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer Olufemi Soneye said in a statement made available to EnergyDay.
Soneye said the NNPC Ltd is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore seamless supply of petrol to affected areas adding that loading has commenced in areas where these challenges have subsided.
“We are hoping the situation will continue to improve in the coming days and full normalcy would be restored,” he said.
The NNPC has also implored motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding of petroleum products.
