Destroying seized oil tankers at sea unacceptable environmental pollution — Environmentalists

ENVIRONMENTALISTS have reacted to the recent destruction at sea, of an oil vessel said to be carrying 800,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

The vessel, MT Tura II (ex-name Ali Riza Bey, IMO 6620462), was heading to Cameroon with the cargo on board when it was apprehended at an offshore location and the crew detained by a private security contractor, Messrs. Tantita Security Services, engaged by the Federal Government.

A statement by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) spokesman, Garba Muhammad, said. “Further investigation into the activities of the vessel revealed that the vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last 12 years with the last reported location of the vessel being in Tin Can Port in July 2011.”

It was reported that there was no valid documentation for the vessel or the crude oil cargo on-board at the time of the arrest.

The vessel was destroyed by a Nigerian military helicopter.

“Destroying vessels involved in transporting stolen crude oil is of paramount importance as a strong deterrent,” the NNPCL added in the statement.

In October 2022, a vessel reportedly used for crude oil theft off the Niger Delta creeks was also set ablaze after the vessel was arrested by the same private contractor, Tantita Security Services.

However, an environmental group, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has raised concerns over the disregard for the environment and human lives considering the manner the recent vessel was destroyed with no attempt to comply with international best practice.

Executive Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, in his reaction to the incident, noted that while the Niger Delta burns on account of gas flaring, oil spills and other forms of pollution, the burning of seized oil vessel is adding insult to injury.

“The drama that unfolded regarding the seized and bombed vessel is extremely disturbing. Destroying a vessel loaded with 800,000 litres of crude oil should be taken as a new low in the demonstration of wastefulness on the part of those who should be watching over the nation’s resources. The entire episode requires urgent investigation. Why would anyone blow up a vessel and dump 800,000 litres of oil into the environment?

“If that volume of crude is correct, this must be one of the largest volumes of crude oil spilled in one incident. Our security men are often seen protecting pollution such as gas flares and rotten pipelines and stripping communities of their dignity. In this incident they have demonstrated utter disregard to our constitutional right to a safe environment.”

Bassey further noted that “One drop of crude oil contaminates 25 litres of water. Imagine what 800,000 litres of crude oil would do. It means destruction of fisheries and of livelihoods. It also means directly poisoning our people. It is shocking and unacceptable.

“Oil theft is a crime. Blowing up a vessel loaded with crude oil is a higher order of malfeasance. The security forces need some trainings on environmental and climate crises. What has played out is sickening on many levels. Economic waste. Ecological assault. Security cannot be a valid reason for blowing up the vessel. We need to know why this was done; and urgently too.”

In his own reaction, Philip Jakpor Director of Programmes at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), told Nigerian Tribune that: “The destruction of the stolen crude oil- laden vessel by NNPCL officials and security agencies gives the impression that they have something to hide. The whole episode gives one concern because not only does it terminate investigation that should lead directly to the owner of the vessel, but it also further degrades the environment. The whole ecosystem of the region is affected. The waters are polluted, fish die, the livelihood of locals is lost and the nation loses in economic terms.”

Considering the impact that the destruction will have on the marine ecosystem and the contribution to the pollution that has plagued the region, government agencies must adopt safe ways of handling rogue vessels, including ways of putting them out of commission, the environmentalist suggested.

Bassey concluded, saying, “Outright destruction of vessels on the high sea is not environmentally acceptable. It is time for the Joint Task Force to begin to work with environmental experts and those who are genuinely concerned about the environment to protect lives and livelihoods.”

Oil theft in Nigeria is an organised crime and a huge industry with local and international collaborators involved in the illegal deals. It has historical roots which has taken different dimensions and is manifesting in several forms, some of which had been covered until recently.