See NNPC new closing time for filling station as fuel scarcity spreads

4 months ago 7

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.)The NNPC has mandated all filling stations to stay longer daily amid the ongoing scarcity of petroleum products
The decision NNPC believes will help the distribution of fuel to motorists and stop the long queues
The NNPC has also called on Nigerians to avoid panic buying, assuring that the fuel scarcity situation is being closely monitored and will improve soon

Legit.ng journalist Dave Ibemere has over a decade of business journalism experience with in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian economy, stocks, and general market trends.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced that fuel stations are to operate longer hours in response to the worsening fuel scarcity across the country.

Dapo Segun, the Executive Vice President of Downstream of NNPC, stated during a joint inspection of stations by the firm and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) officials on Monday, July 8.

Acccording to him the longer hours will help in the supply and distribution of petrol across the country.

NNPC also stated that the turnaround period of PMS trucking is also elongated to ease the situation being witnessed.

Under the NNPC Retail brand in Nigeria, there are over 300 filling stations that operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is now expected that the filling stations will be open until 10 p.m. or later.

Why NNPC is increasing work hours?

Segun speaking to journalists explained that there was a gap in ship-to-shore discharge of PMS which he described as a volatile liquid, adding that during thunderstorms it could not be discharged rather it had to suspend ship-to-shore movement.

His words:

“This also affected the loading of trucks at the depot too because of safety reasons, so we have to suspend all that during thunderstorms and that’s why you see this tightness.“Though we have a challenge over the bad portions of motorways which deteriorated due to rains and flood across the country, we will ensure that we are loading out all through the weekend and that we are mobilising trucks.“We are getting fuel stations to run for longer hours and we are getting marketers to collaborate and share stocks, rather than have a station with more trucks, they can release those trucks to other stations for circulation."

NNPC explains fuel scarcity

Legit.ng had earlier revealed that NNPC Ltd. explained that the fuel queues in the FCT and parts of the country were a result of supply logistics, not availability.

The oil company added that adverse weather conditions, including rainstorms and lightning, affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and transportation of products to filling stations.