The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has disclosed the reasons behind the ongoing fuel queues at filling stations across Lagos State and some other parts of the country.

This is just as the association urged Nigerians not to engage in panic buying of fuel for stockpiling purposes.

MEMAN Executive Secretary Clement Isong gave the advice in Lagos on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

Isong explained that the shortfall of product in most stations was due to adverse weather and thunderstorms that delayed ship-to-ship (STS) trans-loading, among others.

Others, he said, included berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, creating a disruption in station supply logistics.

He noted that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had also warned that the loading of petrol should be avoided during rainstorms and lightning.

Isong stated that petroleum products were flammable and required transportation, dispensation, consumption, and storage in strictly controlled and regulated manners.

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The MEMAN official said: “Any deviation from these regulations poses significant danger and risks, including fatalities.

“We wish to reiterate that there is no cause for alarm. We strongly urge Nigerians to avoid panic buying or stockpiling of petrol.

“This behaviour not only creates artificial scarcity but also poses a significant safety hazard.”

He added that the delay in loading petroleum products at depots due to storms contributed to the shortfall of stocks in filling stations.

Isong stated: “Many trucks could not load product for over 48 hours during the storm.

“Now that the weather is clear, marketers have begun loading and all trucks have commenced distribution of fuel to all stations across the country.

“We want to assure Nigerians that there is no scarcity, and they should not stock petrol at home.”

Queues for petrol recently resurfaced in parts of Lagos, with fuel stations packed with vehicles waiting to fill their tanks.

The long queues extended to road networks, causing gridlock in some areas.

Long queues were observed at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) stations on Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, Bariga, and the Ogba axis of Lagos.

Similar situations were seen at NIPCO stations in Fadeyi, Surulere, and Ago Palace Way, among others.

The Star