House to Investigate Destruction of Vessels with Stolen Crude Oil

•Urges NCDC to stop further spread of anthrax

Adedayo Akinwale and 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.

The 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.

Ereyitomi, while presenting his motion recalled 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 7″ July, 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 the vessel was set ablaze by a joint team of Nigeria security forces and representatives of the NNPC Ltd. on 11″ July, 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 added.

He, however, stressed that the 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.

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

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday, called on the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to put in place measures to stop the further spread of anthrax.

It also called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in implementing effective surveillance, vaccination and awareness campaigns to contain the outbreak of the disease.

It further urged the Ministry to provide adequate resources and support to affected communities, including compensation for losses incurred due to the outbreak.

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion titled, ‘Urgent need to curtail the Outbreak of Anthrax discovered in a farm at Gajiri Village, Suleiman, Niger State.’

Moving the motion at plenary yesterday, Hon. Adamu Tanko, noted the report of the Ministry concerning the presence of anthrax in Nigeria.

The lawmaker added that the laboratory test conducted on the collected samples by the National Veterinary Research Institute, which confirmed the first reported case at a livestock farm located in Gayin village along the Abuja Expressway, Suleja, Niger State.

Tanko added that similar cases of the diseases were confirmed in Northern Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo with symptoms, including sudden death and blood oozing from natural body openings —nose, ear, mouth, and anal region and spread through affected livestock, bush meat, and contaminated environments.

He expressed concern over the potential spread of the disease to other livestock farms in the country and its possible impact on public health.

The lawmaker also expressed worry that anthrax might affect humans in direct contact with affected animals and contaminated products, with potential inhalation, through sores or wounds.

He, therefore, said there was urgent need for proactive measures to prevent spread of Anthrax in Nigeria and protect the health and livelihoods citizens by placing public health precautions in place such as strict surveillance and monitoring of livestock farms, as well as proper disposal of infected animals and contaminated material.

The lawmaker acknowledged efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture in promptly addressing the issue by implementing necessary measures to contain the spread of anthrax and protect both livestock and human health.

The House therefore resolved to, “urge the National Centre for Disease Control to put in place measures that will stop the further spread of anthrax.”

It also mandated the Committees on Agricultural Production and Services | and Legislative Compliance (when constituted) to monitor compliance.