Fuel Shortage: A Empty Threat in the DSS Ultimatum – Falana
Femi Falana, a human rights attorney, criticized the Department of State Services (DSS) for giving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and oil marketers a 48-hour deadline to address the nation’s ongoing fuel shortage due to security concerns.
The DSS would begin operating throughout the nation, according to Peter Afunanya, the agency’s spokesman, if Nigerians cannot access Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Falana, who appeared live on Friday’s episode of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, called the ultimatum a hollow threat.
He emphasized that the NNPC was accountable for distributing petroleum products to all regions of Nigeria, and that the Federal Government was required to call the officials to order and perhaps relieve them of their duties if the organization failed to fulfill its obligation.
As you are aware, there must be an artificial fuel supply at the end of the year, once Christmas has passed. “The ultimatum won’t work because impunity is unpunished in Nigeria.
“In Nigeria, the State Security Service (SSS) is not permitted to operate by the law. It acts independently. Nobody is available to order the agency into action. No one will take the threat seriously, thus they will understand that it is only a threat.
“Toxic fuel was just shipped to Nigeria. Was anyone detained despite the government’s assurances that “We’re going to deal with them” and “It will never happen again”? Was anyone charged? They are aware of those responsible, therefore it’s the same thing. Like oil theft, really. They recognize them.
Falana blamed the threat on economic sabotage while acknowledging the secret service’s security worries. He claimed that continuing to have large lines at gas stations could result in “severe security difficulties.”
The senior attorney cited the constitution to point out that the police were charged with upholding the nation’s internal security.
Falana stated that the president has the authority to enlist the military if the police are unable to maintain sufficient internal security.
The president would then take the necessary action after receiving reports from this secret agency stating that there is a threat to Nigeria’s security. This nation must be governed in accordance with the law.
“That (the law establishing the DSS) was a military order.
We currently have a constitution. The police are now required by Section 215 to uphold the nation’s internal security.
But the SSS is not a department of state security; it is not the DSS. The Presidency does not have a department for it. For all of us, it’s the State Security Service. This organization is required to report to the government: “This issue could result in insecurity. What can we do immediately? The police are responsible for our nation’s internal security, he declared.
The DSS noted that the situation of fuel scarcity had taken on a dimension that was harmful to the security of the nation when it issued the 48-hour ultimatum on Thursday.
After a lengthy, behind-closed-doors meeting with key players in the petroleum industry, Afunanya verified that PMS is available both during and after the holiday season at the secret police headquarters in Abuja.
Particularly in Lagos and Abuja, vehicle owners have struggled for weeks to purchase gasoline from gas stations. While most stores remain closed, the few that are open sell the essential good for as much as N250 per litre in contrast to the standard price of N169 per litre.
The scarcity of supplies has caused long, arduous lines of drivers and business owners jostling for fuel at the few open filling stations, while others turn to the illegal market. As car owners block at least one lane to join the line at the gas station, the issue has also made traffic on important roadways worse.
