By Bukola Olasanmi
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has released 1.9 billion litres of petrol to the public, hours after the Department of State Services (DSS) issued a 48-hour ultimatum.
The DSS, in a statement, had given the NNPCL, oil marketers and other stakeholders, a 48-hour ultimatum to make Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol, available to Nigerians.
Reacting to the ultimatum, the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, later announced the determination of the company to release 1.9billion litres of fuel.
Kyari, who was represented by the NNPC Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, assured Nigerians of the availability of PMS.
He said: “We have also directed operation team to engage in 24hours loading of PMS in the next couple of days and make sure some outlets operate 24hours without compromising security, in order to bring quick relief to the people.”
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Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, promised to collaborate with the NNPC and all stakeholders in order to make sure issues regarding supply of petroleum products are well addressed; and to ensure smooth access.
Major stakeholders in the sector, the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) reiterated their commitment to end the scarcity.