Rain, Lightning, and Thunderstorms Cause Petrol Scarcity – NNPCL Explains

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) has shed light on the recent nationwide fuel scarcity, attributing the situation to severe weather conditions.

Dapo Segun, NNPCL’s Vice President (Downstream), addressed the issue during a press conference held on Tuesday, August 20, at the NNPC Towers in Abuja. He explained that the sudden fuel shortage, which has led to long queues at filling stations across the country, is largely due to the impact of recent heavy rains, lightning, and thunderstorms.

Segun acknowledged the difficulties faced by motorists, who have been forced to endure lengthy wait times at filling stations. The scarcity has also driven up prices on the black market, with petrol reportedly selling for over N1,000 per litre in some areas.

“We sincerely apologize to Nigerians for the fuel queues,” Segun said. “Many of the challenges we’re facing are beyond our control, but we’re doing everything we can to resolve them. For example, the recent rains have caused significant siltation in the Estragos channel, making it difficult to navigate and transport petroleum products, especially PMS, across the country.”

He further explained that lightning and thunderstorms have led to the suspension of fuel discharges both onshore and from tankers, further complicating the distribution process. Additionally, issues with road networks have made it challenging to transport fuel to different regions.

Despite these hurdles, Segun assured the public that NNPCL is actively working to manage the situation. He noted that the supply tightness observed in Lagos has been addressed, with vessels currently offloading fuel in the city.

NNPCL remains committed to ensuring that petroleum products are distributed nationwide, despite the weather-related challenges. The corporation is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to restore normalcy to fuel supply across the country.