The House of Representatives asked security authorities to stop torching ships carrying stolen crude oil
The resolution was taken in the plenary session on Wednesday.
The House’s resolution came after Thomas Ereyitomi moved a motion headed “Need to Discourage the Destruction of Vessels Laden with Stolen Crude Oil with a View to Curbing Environmental Pollution in the Niger Delta Region.”
Ereyitomi, who introduced the motion, mentioned recent allegations of interception, detention, and subsequent destruction of boats filled with stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta.
He claims that the most recent was MT TURA II on Friday, July 7, 2023, in the Escravos River in Delta State’s Warri South-West Local Government Area.
He stated that the tanker, having a capacity of 800,000 tonnes, was loaded with about 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil at the time of arrest and destruction.
According to the legislator, “The said vessel was set ablaze by a joint team of Nigeria security forces and representatives of the NNPC Ltd. on 11h 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.
“Setting ablaze stolen crude oil laden vessels will further destroy the well-endowed ecosystem of the Niger Delta region already ravaged by oil exploration.
“This act if allowed to continue, will further affect the livelihood and the overall wellbeing of the Niger Delta people who have fishing as their main occupation.
“The determination of the Federal Government to curb oil spill in the Niger Delta region and make the living condition of the people better.”
cc: Vanguard Ng
