House of Representatives Cautions Security Agencies: Stop Burning Vessels with Stolen Crude Oil to Prevent Environmental Harm
The House of Representatives issued a caution to security agencies on Tuesday, urging them to refrain from destroying vessels containing stolen crude oil due to its adverse impact on the environment.
This decision came after the adoption of a motion presented by Thomas Ereyitomi titled “The need to discourage the destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil with a view to curbing environmental pollution in the Niger Delta Region.” The motion was raised on the floor of the Green Chamber on Tuesday.
In the motion, Ereyitomi highlighted the recent occurrences of interception, arrests, and subsequent destruction of vessels carrying stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta area. One such vessel, the MT TURA II, was reportedly destroyed on Friday, July 7, 2023, in the Escravos river within the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. The vessel, with an 800,000-tonne capacity, was said to be laden with about 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil at the time of its arrest and destruction.
Another vessel, MT DEIMA, carrying 1500 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil, faced a similar fate in the Warri Escravos river in October 2022.
Ereyitomi expressed concern that the act of setting ablaze stolen crude oil-laden vessels would further devastate the already fragile ecosystem of the Niger Delta region, which has been heavily affected by oil exploration. Such actions could ultimately harm the livelihood and overall wellbeing of the people in the area.
In response to the situation, the House mandated its Committee on Environment (once constituted) to ensure compliance and address this pressing environmental concern in the Niger Delta region.
