A Joint Task Force comprising officials of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and relevant security agencies on Sunday uncovered illegal fuel dump in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru lamented that the discovery was made less than 500 meters away from filling stations where motorists were queuing overnight to get the product.
“In the war room (where crucial issues are discussed during fuel crises), we asked ourselves why the situation (fuel queues) persists.
“We got an intelligence report of these mini depots and as you can see, these golf cars that are supposed to have 40 litres have tanks that can take 200 liters of petrol. This other one is a mini depot. Although some of the products are diesel, the DPR says it is unauthorized. We have over 50 days supply of diesel and so there is no reason to hoard the product.’’
Also speaking, the Abuja Zonal Controller of DPR, Mr Mohammed Abba said “we have arrested 20 people in connection with those who sell in jerry cans in Zone One alone and their facilities. We are handing them over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, because the DPR has no capabilities to prosecute. We will test for forensic analysis and we will pursue the case to court,’’ he added.
It was gathered that hundreds of 200-litre drums and 500 litre tanks loaded with PMS were uncovered during the operation.
