Mobolaji Michael
THE Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has attributed the current scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, in parts of the country to disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from a recent thunderstorm.
Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the company, in a statement, also cited adverse weather conditions which he says affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, as equally responsible for the scarcity.
“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”.
The NNPC Ltd also states that due to 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.
“Adherence to these regulations is mandatory as any deviation could pose a 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”.
The NNPC Ltd says it is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore a seamless supply of petrol to affected areas.
“Already, loading has commenced in areas where these challenges have subsided, and we are hoping the situation will continue to improve in the coming days and full normalcy will be restored”.
The NNPC also calls on motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding of petroleum products.
Eighteen-Eleven Media