MT PRAISEL: Navy reacts to alleged crude oil theft, says vessel approved by NMDPRA

The Nigerian Navy has reacted to the arrest of Motor Tanker (MT) PRAISEL by operatives of a private security firm,Tantita Security Service Limited (TSSL) for allegedly carrying stolen crude in the Koko area of Delta State.

The Navy in a statement signed by its Director of Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo Vaughan, on Friday said contrary to report that MT PRAISEL was escorted by a navy boat, the vessel was duly approved by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to load 1,114,721 Litres of High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO) from Greenmac Energy Storage/Tarus Jetty Koko from 26 July – 8 August 2023.

This, according to him, has been substantiated by NMDPRA and in line with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and to ensure strict compliance with the NMDPRA approval, Navy personnel were deployed onboard to monitor the discharge of the product by MT PRAISEL at a facility at Bonny.”

“However, on 2 August 2023, TSSL claiming to act on intelligence alleged that the vessel was laden with stolen crude oil and thereafter approached an element of Operation DELTA SAFE to board the vessel in order to verify the alleged stolen product.

“Accordingly, the NN directed the vessel to Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS anchorage for further investigation of the product onboard. The samples of the product onboard MT PRAISEL were collected on Thursday 3 August 2023
by 5 agencies including NNPCL, NMDPRA and also TSSL in line with laid procedures for laboratory test and verification of the claim, ” the statement said.

Ayo- Vaughan said while the Navy has commenced investigation on the allegation and awaits the laboratory test result of the product, stakeholders should take necessary precaution to avoid unnecessary impediment to legitimate commercial activities and businesses in the maritime environment as this could have far reaching consequences on the nation’s economy.

“As the lead agency in the fight against maritime crimes, the NN has always been at the vanguard of supporting every single effort to halt economic saboteurs of our country. Therefore, while it is desirable for all hands to be on deck in the fight against crude oil theft, necessary precaution must be adhered to by all stakeholders to avoid unnecessary impediment to legitimate commercial activities and businesses in the maritime environment that have far reaching consequences for the nation’s economy. The NN therefore appeals to the general public to await the laboratory test result of the product and in-depth investigations on allegation.

“The NN under the able leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla is poised to ensure transparency and renewed effort towards interagency cooperation and synergy in the fight against illegalities and criminality in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment particularly oil theft, ” the statement said.