NNPC Seeks DSS Support On Security Of Nation’s Oil Assets

In line with his mandate of protecting the nation against economic sabotage, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kyari has sought the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) to contain threats against the nation’s oil asset and recover debts.

Kyari led his management team on a courtesy visit to the Director General of DSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, where he tabled some challenges faced by the Corporation in recent times.

The GMD identified the challenges to include the loss of revenue from product stealing, deliberate damage to product pipelines, cross border smuggling of petroleum products and long indebtedness to the Corporation by persons and corporate bodies that have reneged on business agreements relating to product allocation.

According to a statement by DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, the NNPC boss lamented the impact of revenue generation losses on the nation’s economy, saying dwindling revenues affect government’s ability to realise its objectives.

Underscoring the significance of the DSS in the National Security architecture of the country, Kyari requested the support of the Service in the Corporation’s frontier exploration efforts in parts of the country.

Responding, Bichi said the DSS is a front line partner of the NNPC and pledged the continued support of the Service to the Corporation.

The DSS DG stressed the need for protection of the nation’s oil assets to enable the government to continue to perform its fundamental objective role of ensuring the security and welfare of citizens as enshrined in the Constitution.