DSS Threatens Nationwide Operation If Fuel Scarcity Persists Beyond 48 hours

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued 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, said this on Thursday after a meeting with stakeholders at the headquarters of the service.

According to Afunanya, the secret police would commence operations across the country if the queue persists at various filling stations after the deadline.

He said the petrol scarcity affects the country’s security.

He said the NNPC agreed that there is enough product that will serve Nigerians during and after the Yuletide season.

The stakeholders at the meeting include the NNPC, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

Others are the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum Tanker Driver (PTD).

In the last few weeks, the country has been battling petrol scarcity, spreading to several parts of the country.

While the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said the scarcity was caused by the shortage of petrol at NNPC depots, the state-owned oil firm had said ongoing road projects in Lagos affected distribution.