Strong indications emerged over the weekend that the presidency is determined to deal with all those found culpable in the importation of adulterated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into the country.
Investigation revealed that already, relevant security and intelligence agencies have swung into action, with a view to identifying, arresting and prosecuting suspects involved in the criminal act, which caused the nation huge embarrassment.
It would be recalled that the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), Mr. Melee Kyari, had apologised over the importation of adulterated PMS, which many blamed on perceived institutional negligence.
Before the apology, which the GMD tendered during his appearance before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), the corporation had blamed some companies for the infraction.
The NNPC alleged that the following companies were involved in the embarrassing deal: MRS (MT Bow Pioneer LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium); Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium (MT Tom Hilde – LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium); Oando (MT Elka Apollon -LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium); and Duke Oil (MT Nord Gainer-LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium).
Highly-placed presidency sources, who spoke with this newspaper in confidence said already, some corporate and private individual players in the downstream sector of the economy, have been invited for interrogation.
Though, the impeccable sources refused to name those invited so far for interrogation, our correspondent gathered that invitations have been extended to heads of relevant governmental institutions, as well as major oil/petroleum marketers.
While vowing to ensure thorough investigation of the case, in line with a subsisting presidential order, another establishment source said the dragnet was being spread, in a bid to bring all perpetrators, no matter how highly-placed, to deserved justice.
One of the dependable sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “You can take this to the bank: Heads will definitely roll over the importation of adulterated petroleum motor spirit(PMS) into the country by some persons.
“Investigations have commenced into the sad incident, which has both economic and national security implications, considering the huge foreign exchange lost, as well as the damage done to thousands of vehicles and others.
“In fact, parties have been cooperating, telling separate crack investigation teams their direct or indirect roles in the sordid development”.
Another top security source, who spoke in similar vein, noted thus: “I can tell you for free that the government is not taking this matter lying low.
“And, considering the clear and unambiguous order from above, all relevant security and intelligence agencies in the country, have no choice but to identify, isolate and interview all corporate and individual elements involved.
“We assure the good people of Nigeria, and the international community, that the investigations will be comprehensive and thorough, and no stone will be left unturned, in our determination to ensure that all culpable parties are brought to book, and speedily too.
“I wish to end by assuring the general public, that this investigation will, no doubt, make major players at the corporate and individual levels, who are charged with responsibilities to make the country better, live up to their billings.”
