…Reiterates effort to halt economic saboteurs
The Nigerian Navy on Sunday said, the results of the laboratory analysis of the product onboard MT PRAISEL by all agencies including Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) indicate that the product displayed properties consistent with Nigerian industrial standard specification.
The Navy had earlier directed the vessel to Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS anchorage for further investigation of the product onboard after an allegation by a private security outfit, Tantita Security Service Limited (TSSL) that the vessel was conveying stolen crude oil with naval escorts onboard.
The Nigerian Navy in a statement signed by the Director of Information, Commodore Ayo Vaughan, disclosed that the result showed “that the allegation and suspicion was totally wrong, unfounded, and perhaps mischievous.”
He said the intelligence which was said to have been received in respect of the vessel and its product was 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,” he said.
“Accordingly, the Nigerian Navy reiterates her strong stance to support every single effort to halt economic saboteurs and to fight against crude oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime environment (NME) provided such effort is done within the ambit of the law and with the best professional conduct.
“Proper precaution therefore must be adhered to by all stakeholders to avoid unnecessary impediment 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 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 the NME are thus advised to adopt the same posture in the overall interest of the nation,” the statement reads.
