By Milcah Tanimu

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has attributed the recent petrol scarcity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to disruptions in the ship-to-ship transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Chief Corporate Communications Officer Olufemi Soneye made this known in a statement on Monday.

Soneye explained that the scarcity is primarily due to recent thunderstorms that disrupted the ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of PMS between mother vessels and daughter vessels. Additionally, the flooding of trucking routes has further constrained the movement of PMS to Abuja from coastal corridors.

“The fuel queues in the FCT are primarily due to the disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of PMS between mother vessels and daughter vessels resulting from recent thunderstorms, and the consequential flooding of trucking routes which constrained movement of PMS to Abuja from coastal corridors,” Soneye stated.

Petrol scarcity has been an issue in the FCT since last week, causing pump prices to rise dramatically, reaching as much as N720 to N820 per liter. Some independent marketers have been selling petrol for N690 per liter amid long queues, while Total Energies outlets have priced it at N660 per liter. Meanwhile, NNPCL retail outlets continue to sell petrol at N617 per liter, but they are experiencing the longest queues.

The petrol scarcity in the FCT has led to significant public frustration and inconvenience, with the situation exacerbated by ongoing logistical challenges.