By Obiabin Onukwugha
Renowned environmentalist and Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Dr Nnimmo Bassey, has called for investigation into the destruction of a crude oil laden vessel, MT Tura II by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd.
NNPC Ltd recently announced that it intercepted a vessel, MT Tura II conveying 800,000 barrels stolen crude offshore while heading to Cameroon, and later set it ablaze to serve as a deterrent to oil theft.
Reacting to the development, Bassey queried the entire process with which the NNPCL adopted in destroying the vessel, saying If the information is correct, then it is one of the largest volume of crude oil spilled in one incident.
The renowned environmentalist, described the destruction of the crude as economic waste, pointing out that security agencies must be educated on climate crises and that destroying petroleum products amounts to ecological assault on the environment.
Bassey, who holds a National Honour of Member of Order of Federal Republic (MFR) for environmental activism, also said that the razing of the vessel by the government was a demonstration of wastefulness and a disregard to the already degraded environment.
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He said: “The drama that unfolded with regard to the seized and bombed vessel is extremely disturbing. Destroying a vessel loaded with 800,000 barrels of crude oil should be taken as a new low in the demonstration of wastefulness on the part of those who should be watching over the nation’s resources.
“The entire episode requires urgent investigation. Why would anyone blow up a vessel and dump 800,000 barrels of oil into the environment? If that volume of crude is correct, this must be one of the largest volume of crude oil spilled in one incident.
“Our security men are often seen protecting pollution such as gas flares and rotten pipelines and stripping communities of their dignity. In this incident they have demonstrated utter disregard to our constitutional right to a safe environment”.
The HOMEF boss continued: “One drop of crude oil contaminates 25 litres of water. Imagine what 800,000 barrels of crude oil would do. It means destruction of fisheries and of livelihoods. It also means directly poisoning our people. It is shocking and unacceptable.
“The entire thing seems to have been staged for some unknown purposes. How can security agents bomb a crude oil loaded vessel with Nigerians in other boats watching and filming as if they were being entertained.
“Oil theft is a crime. Blowing up a vessel loaded with crude oil is a higher order of malfeasance. The security forces need some trainings on environmental and climate crises. What has played out is sickening on many levels; economic waste, ecological assault.
“Security cannot be a valid reason for blowing up the vessel. We need to know why this was done, and urgently too.”
