The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) announced an extension of operating hours for fuel stations to enhance the supply and distribution of petrol. This announcement was made by Mr. Dapo Segun, the Executive Vice President of Downstream at NNPC Ltd., during a joint inspection of fuel stations with officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Monday in Abuja.
Segun explained that there had been a disruption in the ship-to-shore discharge of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) due to its volatility, especially during thunderstorms, which necessitated the suspension of the discharge process for safety reasons. This suspension also affected the loading of trucks at depots, contributing to the supply tightness.
“We had to halt operations during thunderstorms for safety, which caused disruptions. Despite challenges like deteriorated motorways due to rains and floods, we are committed to loading and mobilizing trucks throughout the weekend,” Segun said. He also emphasized efforts to extend fuel station operating hours and encourage marketers to collaborate by sharing stocks to improve circulation.
Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, noted that the fuel tightness in Abuja and parts of Lagos resulted from inclement weather impacting offshore operations and truck routes. Regarding measures to prevent hoarding and black market activities, Ukoha assured that officials were actively inspecting stations and depots to ensure compliance and prevent exploitation.
“Given the tight supply, there may be attempts to take advantage of the situation, but we are on the ground to prevent hoarding. We urge Nigerians to purchase only the fuel they need without panic,” Ukoha added.