It is indeed very crucial to note that of all the
Government Security Agencies (GSAs) the Nigerian Navy is statutorily vested with the responsibility of enforcing government policies in the maritime domain. In furtherance of this task, the Navy is saddled with the responsibilty of checkmating against the introduction of off-spec products into the Nigerian oil and gas value chain.
This service is achieved by liaising with regulatory agencies such as NNPCL, NUPRC , NMDPRA, NIMASA and other stakeholders to ensure that valid documents are presented for verification by the Directorate of Marine Services under the Training and Operations Branch of the Nigerian Navy. Also, the NN ensures strict monitoring of petroleum products movement within Nigeria’s maritime environment. In this regard, relevant documents from midstream and downstream including import, Form M, Haulage & marine transportation permits, offtake permits from those agencies including certification of vessel registry from NIMASA amongst others are usually submitted to the Marine before approval can be granted .
. Once these papers are validated, a clearance is granted by Naval Headquarters via signal for the Company’s vessel to proceed with its operations. The Headquarters Task Force South South Operation DELTA SAFE (HQ OPDS) and all Nigerian Navy Operational Commands as well as Bases within the vessel’s Area of Operation are therefore aware of the operation for seamless operations. Notably, laboratory test of the product is usually carried out prior to discharge into vessels at jetties if the product is not AGO or PMS.
This is because such products like Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) and High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO ) have similarities with crude oil hence this test. Besides, prior to issuance of any approval, the source of product is usually verified to avoid sourcing illegally refined products. With all of these stringent measures put in place by the NN, it can not then be said that the Nigerian Navy is against anti – crude oil fight. Apart from ensuring that due process is followed in the supply chain of petroleum products, movements in Nigeria Maritime Environment, the NN always interfaces with relevant regulatory Agencies to confirm permits granted by the regulatory agencies. One wonders why the Nigerian Navy could be accused of sabotaging the Federal Government’s efforts towards improving crude oil output with the current efforts of the JTF SS OPDS which is being headed by a Naval Rear Admiral. It is on record this Taskforce has been performing credibly well. Since the inception of the Taskforce never has the outfit performed the way it is doing now. Such organizations like NNPCL, SPDC, Chevron, SEEPCO, etc can attest to this fact.
Invariably, the Nigerian Navy is not in any way involved in commercial transactions with oil marketers; how much more blocking or aiding oil theft. Presently, there is an ongoing massive destruction of several illegal refinery camps by the OPDS – all these are geared towards curbing crude oil theft and related crimes. On the incident at Bonny Channel regarding MT LADY MARTINA, information has it that the vessel was duly authorized to engage in that operation. It was gathered that MT LADY MARTINA was ladden with HPFO and not crude oil as alleged by TANTITA and was with relevant valid documents issued by approved Federal Government Agencies such as NNPCL, amongst others as well Naval Headquarters Approval. More so, it was revealed that the product was sourced from Aradel Refinery at Ahoada in Rivers State and was conveyed to FOT Onne using trucks for the the product to be discharged into MT LADY MARTINA. This becomes necessary as Aradel Refinery does not has water front and thus no jetty where vessels can berth to load its products hence the use of trucks to convey their products to FOT Onne (Relevant documents to attached) Pertinently, the Nigerian Navy has not aided any illegality and thus the call from some quarters for the removal of the indefatigable CNS is mischievous and the handiwork of evil minded blackmailers whose business of crude oil theft/illegal bunkering activities have been stagnated. Invariably, such individuals & their cohorts are being driven by their criminal desires bouyed by pecuniary interests and as such they never meant well for our dear Nation. It is against this backdrop that His Excellency President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR – the C- In – C of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in his usual characteristic as our amiable Father is requested to graciously consider commending the efforts of the CNS in the war against oil theft.