The Navy has stated the product onboard oil vessel MT PRAISEL was High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO) approved by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and not stolen crude oil as earlier insinuated and alleged.
It said this was confirmed after a laboratory text by all relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
MT Praisel was arrested in the Koko area of Delta State by a private security outfit, Tantita Security Service Limited (TSSL) on August 2 over suspicion of the vessel’s product being stolen crude oil.
The allegation prompted five relevant agencies to begin laboratory tests of the product to ascertain its true nature.
The Navy, in a statement by its spokesperson, Commodore Ayo-Vaughan, on Sunday, said: “As of Saturday 5 August 2023, the results of the laboratory analysis of the product onboard MT PRAISEL by all agencies including NMDPRA indicates that the product displayed properties consistent with Nigerian industrial standard specification for HPFO.
“This result, therefore, proves that the allegation and suspicion were totally wrong, unfounded, and perhaps mischievous. The intelligence which was said to have been received in respect of the vessel and its product is equally wrong.
“This singular incident brings to the fore the high-handedness and unprofessional conduct displayed, with its attendant negative consequences for the supplier and buyer of the product, the vessel hired to convey it, and other parties involved in the legitimate business.”
While reiterating its commitment to supporting every effort to halt economic saboteurs and fight against crude oil theft in maritime environment, the Navy cautioned that proper precaution must be adhered to by all stakeholders to avoid unnecessary impediments to legitimate commercial activities and businesses in the maritime environment.
“Maritime security issues entail more than spontaneous actions from insufficient and unverified information because the resultant wrong responses have a direct impact on the nation’s economy hence it must be handled dispassionately and professionally.
“In line with Mr. President’s directive, the Navy under the able leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla will ensure transparent and robust inter-Service and inter-agency cooperation and synergy in all her operations. All stakeholders and players within Nigeria’s maritime environment are thus advised to adopt the same posture in the overall interest of the nation,” the Navy said.
