The Department of State Services (DSS) has given a 48-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and oil marketers to resolve the ongoing petrol distribution crisis.
Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, made this known to journalists at the headquarters of the service in Abuja shortly after a meeting between the secret police and stakeholders.
He said the secret police would commence its operations across the country if after 48 hours there are still queues at various filling stations in the country.
He said the petrol shortage challenge hurts the country’s security.
He said during the meeting, the NNPC agreed that there is enough product that will serve Nigerians during and after the Yuletide season.
“Today,we held a meeting with NNPLC and other stakeholders in the down steam sector which include: the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, depot operators among others,”he said
“We were clear and told them enough is enough on the lingering fuel scarcity. We told them they should resolve the hurdles right away. Nigerians have rights to have access to petroleum products. We told them we would not continue to tolerate the scarcity.
READ ALSO:
- Abducted Ondo Monarch Regains Freedom
- Reuters Abortion Allegation Spurious, Never Occurred,SaysCDS
- Brittney Griner: Russia Frees US Basketball Star in Swap with Arms Dealer Bout
“You might be wondering what our business is on this issue. Don’t forget the Constitution charged us with the mandate of detecting and preventing any threat against our internal security.
“We are also empowered to investigate economic sabotage of concern to national security.
“The major takeaway from our deliberation is that there is sufficient fuel that would last us throughout the yultide and beyond in the country despite all other issues raised.
“The NNPCL said there are 1.9 billion barrels of petroleum in stock and all the stakeholders agreed to that.
“Among the resolution reached at the end of the meeting is that the marketers will be operating for 24 hours on daily basis.
“Also, tanker operators assured that all hands will be on deck to ensure the lifting of the products.
“Similarly, the NNPCL agreed to sell at ex-depot price. It also agreed to decentralise distributions to impact positively on marketers.
“On our part, we agreed to provide security for seamless distribution of the products across the country. Distribution must improve and all challenges must be eliminated in the next 48 hours after which as a matter of urgency we will carry out operations across the country not minding whose ox is gored.
“We sounded a clear note of warning to marketers and other persons involved in the process that it won’t be business as usual and that whatever needs to be done must be done.
“Our commands have been placed on red alert and they would procure information on any obstructive tendency by any organisation against the agreed terms.”
Ofunaya,however, assured Nigerians that with the step taken, there won’t be acute scarcity during the yuletide season.
He also warned individuals or groups planning to indulge in criminal activities as a result of the scarcity to desist from such, adding that the service would not condone it.
For weeks, vehicle owners especially in Lagos and Abuja and some parts of the country have had a tough time getting petrol from filling stations.
Many outlets are closed, the few ones that are open sell for as high as N250 per litre from the uniform price of N169/litre.
The shortage of supply has led to long queues at the few open filling stations as motorists and business owners jostle to buy fuel while others resort to black market.
The situation has also worsen traffic on major roads as vehicle owners block at least one lane to join queues to filling stations.