By Abdul Lawal, Abuja.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has adopted a fresh strategy to stem increasing fuel scarcity in Abuja and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in general.
Statement authored by the Corporate Communication department of NMDPRA on Wednesday said trucking of Petroleum products through alternative route to Abuja is ongoing to address fuel scarcity in Abuja.
“As part of measures to mitigate the situation, trucking vía alternativa routes is currently ongoing , ” adding that there are sufficient Petroleum products inland.
” The Authority wishies 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 oil vehicular movements”
” This unfortunately has affected the distribution of Petroleum products to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and environs “.
DailyNewscraft.ng had reports that many petrol tankers trucking products to Abuja and its environs are stranded along Lokoja – Koton karfi major highway due to the flood that has ravaged the area.
For safety reason many marketers have directed truck drivers to park their vehicle until the water cedded.
Many of the trucks who lifted Petroleum products from the fuel depots bridging to Abuja and its environs spent days at Lokoja-Koton karfi highways as flood intensifies .
The alternate routes are Nasarawa Loko- Oweto-or Lafia- Markudi-Otukpo axis.
Another alternate routes is Minna-Jebba-Mokwa road into Niger and Kaduna states respectively.
NMDPRA said, ” Consequently, the general public is advised to avoid pánico buying of fuel stations as the NMDPRA is working assiduosly with relevant stakeholders and Government Agencies to ensure products availability across the country”
It added” In the same context,marketers are advised to desist from hoading the products so as not to inflict hardship on Nigerians”.
NMDPRA reiterate its commitment to Nigerians to ensure seamless supply and distributions of Petroleum products nationwide.