Reps urge FG to investigate Delta crude oil vessel explosion

The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to investigate the recent explosion of a Crude Oil Vessel at the Escravos Estuary in Delta State.

The House specifically asked the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to investigate the cause of the explosion on the Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel (FPSO), the Trinity Spirit to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

It also called on the Federal Government to urgently mitigate the effects of the explosion on affected communities by embarking on a clean-up of the polluted waters and the coastlands, as well as provide relief materials and pay adequate compensation to those affected by the oil spill.

The House resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Julius Pondi from Bayelsa State at plenary.

He noted the report of a massive explosion which occurred recently on a floating production storage and offloading crude oil vessel called the Trinity Spirit and its subsequent sinking off the coast of the country at the Escravos Estuary in Delta State.

The lawmaker said the incident raised fears that the crew members on the vessel may have died in the fire blaze that engulfed the ship after the explosion.

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Pondi explained that: “the Trinity Spirit Vessel was the main production facility for the OML 108 in Nigeria’s offshore Ukpokiti oil field in the Niger Delta, with the capacity to process up to twenty-two thousand barrels of crude oil per day with a storage capacity of 2 Million barrels.”

He expressed worry that the explosion of the vessel, which had 50,000 barrels of oil in storage when it exploded, has negatively impacted the country’s economy, and may take a long time to recover.

“Also worried about the environmental impact the explosion has had on the immediate and surrounding coastal communities such as pollution of the waters, death of aquatic animals, and the dispersal of surviving fish, with its attendant economic hardship on the people who are predominantly seafood farmers.

“Commends the assistance rendered by the Chevron team operating in the Escravos Estuary, the clean Nigeria Associates, community stakeholders, and local fishermen who responded swiftly to save the burning vessel; Cognizant of the need to urgently provide relief materials to the affected communities,” Pondi added.

While adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream, Downstream) and Host Communities to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of explosion of crude oil vessels with a view to offer recommendations towards averting a recurrence.