The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has identified “low loadouts” at depots as the likely cause of the queues that have resurfaced at petrol filling stations in Abuja.
Long queues resurfaced at many filling stations across Abuja at the weekend.
Loadouts is the process of moving petroleum products from depots to filling stations.
In a statement, NNPC spokesperson, Garba Deen Muhammad, said purchases by residents who recently returned after the public holidays could also have contributed to the queues.
The corporation, however, said efforts were ongoing to address the situation.
“The NNPC Ltd notes the sudden appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja. This is very likely due to low loadouts at depots which usually happen during long public holidays, in this case, the Sallah celebrations.
“Another contributing factor to the sudden appearances of queues is the increased fuel purchases which is also usual with returning residents of the FCT from the public holidays.
“NNPC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in conjunction with our marketing partners, have taken necessary measures to ramp up loadouts from all depots,” the statement read..
The NNPC assured that it has ample local supplies and national stock in excess of 2.5 billion liters, with sufficiency of more than 43 days and advised motorists not to engage in panic buying as supplies are adequate as will become increasingly evident in the coming days.