The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the security agencies of the Federal Government to desist from further setting ablaze vessels laden with stolen crude oil.
The House also mandated the Committee on Environment (when constituted) to ensure compliance.
The House resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion title “Need to Discourage the Destruction of Vessels Laden with Stolen Crude Oil with a view to Curbing Environmental Pollution in the Niger Delta Region brought by Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi from Delta State.
Hon. Eryitomi noted the recent reports of interception, arrest and subsequent destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta region, the most recent being MT TURA II on Friday 7th July, 2023 in the escravos river in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.
The Lawmaker also noted that the vessel MT TURA, an 800,000 tonne capacity vessel was at the time of arrest and destruction, laden with about 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil.
He further noted that the said vessel was set ablaze by a joint team of Nigeria security forces and representatives of the NNPC Ltd. on 11th July, 2023.
“Aware that in October 2022, a vessel named MT DEIMA which was laden with 1500 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil, was also arrested and set ablaze in the Warri escravos river.
He explained that setting ablaze stolen crude oil laden vessels will further destroy the well-endowed ecosystem of the Niger Delta region already ravaged by oil exploration.