The Nigerian Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has blamed the recent queues in some parts of the country on the disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer petrol, between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from recent thunderstorm.
A statement by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said the adverse weather condition has also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, disrupting station supply logistics.
However, while responding to the development, Soneye also said 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.
The NNPC also called on motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding petroleum products, as reports indicate that the scarcity has pushed prices to as high as ₦900/litre, with private depot owners reported to have hiked the ex-depot price from ₦630 to ₦720 per litre.
