By Adadainfo
The Department of State Services, DSS, Thursday, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other players in the oil sector to end scarcity of petrol in all parts of the country.
This followed the scarcity of petroleum products as well as their increasing prices, which have made living unbearable in the country.
The DSS ultimatum was given during a press conference held in Abuja. The DSS spokesman, Mr Peter Afunaya, said that, “Today we held a meeting with NNPLC and other stakeholders in the downstream 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.
“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 the right to have access to petroleum products. We told them we would not continue to tolerate the scarcity.
“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.”
He said the stakeholders agreed on the need to end the scarcity, adding that the DSS would provide security for the distribution of fuel across the country.
Quoting him, “The major takeaway from our deliberation is that there is sufficient fuel that would last us throughout the yuletide 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 resolutions reached at the end of the meeting is that the marketers will be operating for 24 hours on a 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.
“We agreed to provide security for the 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.”
