The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA has blamed the return of fuel queues
in the Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja,on unprecedented flooding in Lokoja, Kogi State,
The agency,in a statement said the flooding has submerged a greater part of the city and grounded all vehicular movements.
It said:”NMDPRA is providing this advisory on the current queues at fuel stations in Abuja. The Authority wishes to state that the fuel queues are caused by unprecedented flooding in Lokoja, Kogi State, which has submerged a greater part of the city and grounded all vehicular movements.
“This unfortunately has affected the distribution of petroleum products to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and environs. As part of measures to mitigate the situation, trucking through alternative routes is currently ongoing. The Authority assures the public that there are sufficient petroleum products inland. Consequently, the general public is advised to avoid panic buying at fuel stations as the NMDPRA is working assiduously with relevant stakeholders and Government agencies to ensure product availability across the country.
It advised marketers to desist from hoarding the product and reiterated its commitment to Nigerians to ensure seamless supply and distribution of Petroleum Products nationwide”.
Meanwhile, Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC Ltd, in a statement, blamed current queue situation in some parts of Abuja and its environs is as a result of delays in arrival of fuel trucks.
“NNPC Ltd wishes to inform the general public that it has sufficient stock of petroleum products and the public should not give in to panic buying.The current queue situation in some parts of Abuja and its environs is as a result of delays in arrival of fuel trucks.
“This is happening as a result of heavy flooding that has submerged parts of the highway passing through Lokoja, Kogi State and also an incidence of a failed road section around Badegi-Agaie highway in Niger State.Consequently, vehicles, especially fuel tankers, are finding alternative roads to get to their intended destinations.
“NNPC Ltd is working assiduously, in collaboration with relevant government agencies, to open up this major highway.While we do that, we urge the general public to remain calm and not to engage in panic buying of petroleum products.
“The current situation is temporary and has nothing to do with shortage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as the NNPC Ltd has a thirty-day products’ sufficiency” reads the statement in parts”
