Fuel Scarcity: NNPC Extends Fuel Station Hours to Improve Supply

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that fuel stations will extend their operating hours to improve the supply and distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. This measure aims to alleviate the current shortage situation.

NNPCL urged fuel stations to enhance the availability of petrol, emphasizing the need for longer turnaround times for PMS trucking to ease the ongoing supply challenges.

Dapo Segun, NNPCL’s Executive Vice President of Downstream, made this announcement on Monday in Abuja during a joint inspection of fuel stations by NNPCL and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that NNPCL and NMDPRA have embarked on a joint monitoring effort to ensure fuel supply and distribution in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and across the country, aiming to eliminate queues at fuel stations.

NNPCL attributed the recent fuel queues in the FCT and other parts of the country to disruptions in ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of fuel between mother and daughter vessels caused by recent thunderstorms. Adverse weather conditions, including rainstorms and lightning, have affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and transportation of products to filling stations, leading to supply logistics disruptions.

During the inspection, Segun explained that the volatility of PMS necessitated the suspension of ship-to-shore discharges during thunderstorms for safety reasons, contributing to the current supply tightness. He also highlighted challenges such as deteriorated portions of motorways due to rains and flooding.

To address these issues, NNPCL is mobilizing trucks for continuous loading and working with marketers to share stock more effectively. Fuel stations will operate for longer hours, and trucks will be distributed to stations in need to ensure better circulation of petrol.