Newcross Exploration And Production Limited, owners of motor tanker (MT) Prestigious has said that contrary to reports by the Niger Delta Renaissance Network that the Nigerian Navy has released the vessel apprehended by a private security firm for allegedly stealing crude oil, the vessel is still under the surveillance and close monitoring by the Navy in Bonny.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the vessel owners to the National Security Advisor, the Chief of Defense Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, explained that after the visit by the IGP Illegal Bunkering Team (“Operation Tantita”) to MT Prestigious on May 2, 2024, the team alleged that they had received reports of illegal bunkering activities of a vessel with an IMO number matching MT Prestigious WD, the 2nd mother vessel deployed in Bonny to support the NewcrossEP barging operations.
“Although no clear evidence of the allegations was shared, written testimony was taken from the MT Prestigious Captain, Donna Spectre (barging vendor) Representative, and NewcrossEP representative confirming the vessels only purpose is to convey crude to Bonny Terminal SBM3.
“Subsequently, a request was made to collect cargo samples for finger printing which cannot be granted without the written approval of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission ( NUPRC) and the presence of an independent laboratory, ” the company said.
It noted that the presence of naval officers and men aboard the vessels in Bonny makes the allegation by the Niger Delta Renaissance Network that the vessel have been released, baseless.
The company, however, called for the urgent intervention of NUPRC on the IGP Team to ensure that due process is followed and the stoppage to their operations can be quickly resolved considering the critical role they play in generating value for the nation.
It listed the financial implications of the delay including the suspension of more than 100kbopd in crude oil production;
suspension of gas delivery for domestic and export supply to firms such as NLNG
and disruption of terminal operations and lifting programmes due to low stock inventory.
According to the firm, these impacts represent the interest of key stakeholders and operators that rely on the evacuation solution offered by the vessel.
