The Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has commended the efforts of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in curtailing the recent problem of fuel scarcity, diversion, hoarding and long queue at the filling stations across the Nation.
The commendation however came with a request by the NNPC seeking for more collaboration and partnership with the Corps in ensuring that more Personnel are deployed to the various depots across the Federation in order to escort trucks loaded with petroleum products from the depots to the final destination of discharging at the Filling Stations.
This request according to the Management of NNPC represented by Sam Otoboeze, is to curtail act of diversion of products and other illicit acts that might lead to artificial hoarding and scarcity of the products thereby bringing untold hardship on the populace.
Mr. Sam on behalf of the Management of NNPC and the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum/GMD Mr. Ibe Kachukwu said ”we wish to express our sincere appreciation for the continued support given to our Corporation by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and we further wish to request for your approval to deploy NSCDC Operatives to escort trucks from our Depots to various designated locations in the country to check product diversions and other sharp practices”.
According to the Commandant General of the Corps, Abduallahi Gana Muhammadu, the Corps is statutorily mandated to Protect Critical Infrastructure and National Assets as the lead agency, therefore, it is imperative for the Corps to put in extra efforts in the discharge of its constitutional role with zeal and renewed vigour.
The Corps helmsman having received the commendation and appreciation from the NNPC and the request thereof, addressing the Special Task Force Commander and his team, said, ” This clarion call to deploy more Personnel to the Depots, and the instruction that no truck loaded with product be permitted to leave without NSCDC Personnel attached to it as an escort down to the designation of discharge, is a welcome development and a sign of recognition that the excellent performance of the Special Task Force in curtailing diversion and tackling the ugly situation of fuel scarcity as well as long queues at the filling stations was not in vain ”.
He stressed that, the assignment must be carried out with all sense of humility, dedication, integrity, commitment, passion and conscientiously without compromise; thereby having in mind that with collective efforts, the Corps will propel to greater heights by justifying its existence and the confidence reposed on the organization by the government and the populace.
Abdullahi while reassuring NNPC, PPMC and DPR on a robust working relationship through the Joint Operations, also called on other sister Agencies, stakeholders in the oil industry and the general public to cooperate with the
Special Task Force in the discharge of their onerous assigned duties in order to serve them better. Availability of products at the stations can only be made possible if we all work together as members of one family, he noted.
He therefore, assured the Personnel of prompt payment of their allowances and adequate welfare packages as a motivational force to work without compromise. Similarly, he warned the Personnel that the Corps will not condone any act of indiscipline and corrupt practices, therefore, anyone caught or fingered to be involved in any dubious act will face the wrath of the law.
ACC Emmanuel Okeh
CDPRO