House to Investigate Destruction of Vessels with Stolen Crude Oil

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the destruction of a vessel laden with stolen crude and what happened to the 150,000 barrel of crude in the vessels.

This resolution followed the adoption of a motion on the “Need to Discourage the Destruction of Vessels Laden with Stolen Crude Oil with a view to Curbing Environmental Pollution in the Niger Delta Region” moved by  Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi at plenary yesterday.

Ereyitomi while presenting his motion recalled that the recent reports of interception, arrest and subsequent destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta region, the most recent being MT TURA II on Friday, July 7, 2023, in the Escravos River in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.

He noted that the vessel MT TURA, an 800,000 tonne capacity vessel was at the time of arrest and destruction laden with about 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil.

The lawmaker said that the vessel was set ablaze by a joint team of Nigeria security forces and representatives of the NNPC Ltd. on July 11, 2023.

“In October 2022, a vessel named MT DEIMA, which was laden with 1500 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil, was also arrested and set ablaze in the Warri Escravos River; that setting ablaze stolen crude oil laden vessels will further destroy the well-endowed ecosystem of the Niger Delta region already ravaged by oil exploration,” he said.

He, however, stressed that this act if allowed to continue, would further affect the livelihood and the overall wellbeing of the Niger Delta people who have fishing as their main occupation.

“Cognisance of the determination of the federal government to curb oil spill in the Niger Delta region and make the living condition of the people better,” he said.

The House consequently mandated its Committee on Environment (when constituted) to ensure compliance.