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Fuel Scarcity Persists As DSS 48 Hours Ultimatum Elapses

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Despite the 48 hours ultimatum issued to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and oil marketers by the Department of State Services, DSS, to make the Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol available for Nigerians, the situation has remained the same, DAILY POST reports.

It could be recalled that the country’s secret police had on Thursday, given the NNPC and other stakeholders in the downstream sector 48 hours ultimatum to put an end to the lingering fuel scarcity across the country.

The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, who made this known while addressing journalists in Abuja, stated that the ultimatum came after the agency held a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in the oil sector, who agreed to end the scarcity within the stipulated time.

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READ ALSO: Fuel Scarcity: DSS Ultimatum An Empty Threat – Femi Falana

However, oil marketers, on Friday, said the distribution of the product was still problematic, but expressed optimism that queues for the product at various filling stations would soon disappear.

Similarly, dealers under the aegis of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, threatened to shut down operations if the NNPCL continued to deny them direct access to it in terms of payment for products.

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However, a check by DAILY POST on Saturday revealed that many fuel stations in the nation’s capital and its environs are yet to begin selling the product to customers.

While some NNPC filling stations in the territory seem to have enough product, many stations are still experiencing the usual long queue.

It was gathered that some fuel stations in the satellite areas are selling the product as high as N200 per litre, while stations at the city centre sell between N180 to N190 which is above the official price.

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In most of the South-East States, the product is selling for as high as N250 per litre and above.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that it is not different in many other parts of the country.

A civil servant, who spoke with our correspondent on the difficulty in getting the product, lamented how oil marketers are allegedly taking advantage of the Christmas season to impose fuel price on users.

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According to him, the fuel scarcity being experienced across the country was artificially created by people who don’t care for the poor.

He said, “It is Christmas time, this is what they do every year for their selfish gains. They don’t care about the ordinary Nigerians who depend on fuel to power their little businesses.

“Our problem in this country is that we don’t have price regulators. Nobody regulates prices of products in Nigeria, so anybody can wake up and change the price to whatever they like.

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“The DSS gave an ultimatum on Thursday, what are they doing now, have they arrested anybody? We are waiting”.

READ ALSO: [JUST IN] Fuel Scarcity: DSS Gives NNPC, Oil Marketers 48 Hours To Make Product Available

When contacted on the way forward, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya told DAILY POST that the ultimatum issued by the Service was already yielding positive results.

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According to him, some outlet stations have been asked to sell the product for 24 hours in a bid to ease off the queues.

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Russia, China Afraid Of US Under My Administration — Trump

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United States President, Donald Trump, has said Russia and China fear the United States because of the strength of his administration, arguing that American global influence is driven primarily by its military power and leadership.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday stated that rival powers would not take NATO seriously without the United States, claiming the alliance lacks deterrent force in the absence of American involvement.

He expressed doubts about whether NATO members would come to the aid of the US in a real crisis, despite Washington’s continued commitment to the alliance.

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READ ALSO:Trump To Withdraw US From 66 UN, International Organisations

The president credited his leadership with rebuilding the US military during his first term and sustaining its strength, describing this as the key reason adversaries show respect and caution toward the country.

He maintained that America’s military dominance has played a central role in preserving global stability and saving lives.

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Trump also argued that his administration forced NATO members to increase defence spending, saying many allies had previously failed to meet financial commitments while relying heavily on the US.

READ ALSO:Insecurity: US Congressman Riley Moore Reveals Trump’s Mission In Nigeria 

He added that his actions helped prevent further escalation in Eastern Europe and contributed to the resolution of multiple conflicts.

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According to Trump, the United States remains the only nation that commands genuine fear and respect from both Russia and China, a position he attributed to his administration’s approach to defence, diplomacy, and global leadership.

“He wrote partly, “The only Nation that China and Russia fear and respect is the DJT REBUILT U.S.A. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! President DJT.”

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Trump To Withdraw US From 66 UN, International Organisations

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United States President, Donald Trump, has announced plans to withdraw the US from 66 United Nations and international organisations, including key global bodies focused on climate change, peace and democracy.

The decision was disclosed in a presidential memorandum released by the White House on Wednesday evening, following a review of which “organizations, conventions, and treaties are contrary to the interests of the United States.”

According to Trump, the move will see the US end its participation in the affected organisations and cut all related funding.

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A list shared by the White House showed that 35 of the organisations are non-UN bodies, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

READ ALSO:Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Although listed as a non-UN body by the White House, the IPCC is a United Nations organisation that brings together leading scientists to assess climate change evidence and provide periodic reports to guide political leaders.

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The memorandum also announced the US withdrawal from 31 UN entities, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Democracy Fund, and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on maternal and child health.

Several of the targeted UN bodies are involved in protecting vulnerable groups during armed conflicts, including the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

Reacting to the announcement, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a note to correspondents on Wednesday evening that the organisation expected to issue a response by Thursday morning.

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Despite repeatedly stating his desire to limit US involvement in UN forums, Trump has continued to exert influence on international decision-making.

READ ALSO:Trump Using FBI To ‘Intimidate’ Congress, US Lawmakers Cry Out

In October last year, he threatened to impose sanctions on diplomats who formally adopted a levy on polluting shipping fuels that had already been agreed to at an earlier meeting, a move that stalled the deal for 12 months.

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The Trump administration also sanctioned UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese after she released a report detailing the role of international and US companies in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

During his first term in 2017, Trump similarly threatened to cut aid to countries that supported a draft UN resolution condemning the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the US wields significant influence at the United Nations, including veto power, which it has repeatedly used to block efforts to end Israel’s war on Gaza before later mediating a ceasefire.

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(Aljazeera)

 

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UK Supported US Mission To Seize Russian-flagged Oil Tanker – Defense Ministry

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The British Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that it provided support to the United States in its operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic.

US seized the tanker, which was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday, after pursuing it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic as part of Washington’s efforts to block Venezuelan oil exports.

According to Britain, its armed forces gave pre-planned operational support, including basing following a US request for assistance.

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READ ALSO:UK Introduces Powers To Seize Phones, SIM Cards From Illegal Migrants

The UK also said a military vessel provided support for the US forces pursuing the tanker, and the Royal Air Force provided surveillance support from the air.

Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the operation targeted a vessel with a nefarious history linked to Russian and Iranian sanctions evasion networks.

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This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting,” he said in a statement.

READ ALSO:Venezuelan Deportees: US Embassy Gives Reason For Reducing Visa Validity For Nigerians

According to him, the US was Britain’s closest defence and security partner.

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The depth of our defence relationship with the US is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice,” he added.

The British government said that the Bella-1 tanker, now renamed Marinera, is sanctioned by the US under its counter-Iran sanctions,

The MoD statement said the support was provided in full compliance with international law.

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