The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) says the fuel queues in Abuja and other parts of the country were as a result of disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), fondly called petrol, between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from recent thunderstorms.

The NNPCL said adverse weather conditions, including rainstorms and lightning, also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, causing a disruption in station supply logistics.

The NNPCL made this known via a statement issued by its spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, on Monday, July 8, 2024.

Soneye added 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.

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He noted: “Adherence to these regulations is mandatory as any deviation could pose 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 NNPCL is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore 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 would be restored.”

He, therefore, enjoined motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding of petroleum products.

The Star