The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has written to the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, to draw his attention to illegal petro lifting operations taking place at the Bonny River terminal.
The letter which was dated June 8, signed by the Authority Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, and sighted by Daily Trust was titled “Economic Sabotage, Criminal Damage and Theft Through Illegal Petroleum Lifting Operations at Bonny River Terminal.”
Ahmed stated that the vessel, Barumk Gas is lifting Butane at Bonny River Terminal without authorisation or participation of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority which is the agency of Government statutorily responsible for regulating operations at the Terminal.
The chief executive noted in the letter that the unlawful act is being facilitated with the active connivance of Exxon Mobil who has illegally destroyed the locks on the sea-line valve whose keys a in the custody of the Authority.
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The letter stated that the actions of Exxon Mobil and Barumk Gas constitute economic sabotage criminal damage and theft of Nigeria’s national resources.
“You are by this letter kindly requested to urgently prevent the sailing out Barumk Gas until investigations into the matter are concluded.” Ahmed requested the Chief of Army Staff.
Responding to enquiry, Manager, Media and Communications, ExxonMobil, Oge Udeagha said: “we wish to state that all operations of the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture are carried out in full compliance with the law.”
