The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced that fuel stations will extend their operating hours to enhance the supply and distribution of petrol.
Mr. Dapo Segun, the Executive Vice President of Downstream at NNPC Ltd., made this announcement on Monday in Abuja during a joint inspection of fuel stations with officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Segun highlighted a gap in the ship-to-shore discharge of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), describing it as a volatile liquid. He explained that the discharge process must be suspended during thunderstorms for safety reasons, which disrupts the ship-to-shore movement and affects the loading of trucks at depots.
“This also affected the loading of trucks at the depot because of safety reasons, so we have to suspend all that during thunderstorms, and that’s why you see this tightness,” Segun said. He acknowledged the challenges posed by deteriorated motorways due to rains and floods but assured that efforts are being made to load fuel trucks throughout the weekend and mobilize additional trucks.
“We are getting fuel stations to run for longer hours and encouraging marketers to collaborate and share stocks. Instead of having a station with more trucks, they can release those trucks to other stations for circulation,” he added.
Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, explained that the fuel tightness in Abuja and parts of Lagos was due to inclement weather affecting offshore operations and truck routes.
Addressing concerns about hoarding and black market activities, Ukoha stated that officials are actively inspecting stations and depots to prevent hoarding. “Due to the tightness in supply, there may be elements who will try to take advantage of that. We assure Nigerians to go about their businesses and purchase the volume they need without panic,” he added.
