Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has addressed the menace of ongoing fuel queues in cities across the country, reassuring Nigerians that the situation will improve soon.
This is as the NNPC Ltd announced that the fuel queues seen in some parts of the country, including the FCT, were as a result of disruption of ship-to-ship transfer of PMS between mother vessels and daughter vessels resulting from recent thunderstorms.
The adverse weather condition, NNPC Ltd said, has also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, causing a disruption in station supply logistics.
Corroborating NNPC Ltd, Lokpobiri, in a statement, acknowledged the frustration and inconvenience caused by the fuel shortages, but attributed the situation to recent flooding on the trucking route and unavoidable logistical challenges due to weather concerns.
The Minister assured Nigerians that his team was working tirelessly to resolve the issues and restore normal fuel supply as quickly as possible.
“I understand the frustration many of you are feeling due to the fuel queues in cities such as Abuja. Recent flooding on the trucking route and unavoidable logistical challenges due to weather concerns have temporarily disrupted our distribution chain.
“I assure you that our dedicated team is working round the clock to resolve these issues. We are committed to restoring normal fuel supply as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. Together, we will overcome these challenges,” the minister said.