Crude oil theft: Reps probe burning of vessel, $12m cargo

The House of Representatives Tuesday mandated its committees on the environment, NIMASA and others (when constituted) to investigate the burning of a vessel with stolen crude cargo worth $12m by security agencies.

It also called on security agencies to desist from the destruction of vessels which it said pollutes the Niger Delta marine environment.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Thomas Ereyitomi, seeking to stop the destruction of such vessels to curb environmental pollution in the Niger Delta.

He said, “The vessel MT TURA, an 800,000 tons capacity vessel was at the time of arrest and destruction, laden with about 150,000 metric tons of stolen crude oil. 

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

Ereyitomi said setting ablaze stolen crude oil-laden vessels would further destroy the well-endowed ecosystem of the Niger Delta region already ravaged by oil exploration.

He said if allowed to continue, the act would further affect the livelihood and the overall well-being of the Niger Delta people who have fishing as their main occupation.