surveillance team of the NSCDC deploys to prevent fuel diversion

Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Muhammadu said that the corps had commenced the deployment of personnel from all state commands nationwide for surveillance of fuel supply across the country to stem diversion of the product.

Muhammadu who disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, explained that the move was in line with the Federal Government’s resolve to tackle the fuel scarcity in the country.

The CG stated that the latest arrangement between the corps and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources was to ensure that every truck from the depots get to their final destinations, while efforts are put in place to provide adequate tracking system to monitor the movement of the trucks.

The NSCDC helmsman said, “So far, we have deployed 280 personnel to Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation in Dikko, Niger state to flag off the activities.

“The diversion of the fuel remained a major challenge in the country and that is why the deployment of personnel in all state command across the country becomes imperative to put an end to the lingering fuel scarcity.

“The era of fuel diversion is over. This step will remain a continuous exercises until the situation is normalized across the country.

“NSCDC is more determined to chase sabotage out of business including tanker drivers, independent and major oil marketers.”

He said the corps was also exploring new ways to monitor and protect pipelines, using technology and sophisticated gadgets to track down vandals.

The NSCDC boss, who decried the spate of oil diversion and theft in the country, said the corps was working round the clock to combat the challenge.

Muhammadu attributed illegal diversion to corruption in the country and economic sabotage by criminal elements, stressing  that the act was driven by desperation for material acquisition by unscrupulous Nigerians.