Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL), a firm owned by former Niger Delta agitator, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), has faulted claims by the Nigerian Navy that the vessel, MT Praisel, arrested on August 1, with 1,114,721 litres of High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO), was duly approved by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to convey products to Bonny ports.

Tantita said they suspected the vessel, which was accompanied by naval personnel, when its documents conflicted with those issued by NMDPRA.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by TSSNL, while the Navy said the vessel was cleared to discharge suspected stolen oil at Bonny ports, NMDPRA documents showed that the vessel was cleared to discharge content at Lagos ports.

Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, had last Friday, issued a statement stating that MT Praisel was duly approved by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to load 1,114,721 litres of High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO) from Greenmac Energy Storage/Tarus Jetty Koko between July 26 and August 8.

“NMDPRA has substantiated this and in line with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and to ensure strict compliance with the approval, naval personnel were deployed onboard to monitor the discharge of the product at a facility at Bonny.”

MEANWHILE, investigation by the naval high command revealed that the crude oil loaded in arrested MT Praisel was not stolen. Naval headquarters had awaited results from the laboratory where a sample was taken to ascertain whether the arrested merchant vessel was loaded with stolen crude as alleged by a private anti-oil theft private security outfit.

Ayo-Vaughan pointed out that the statement released last Friday from the Naval headquarters was aimed at clarifying an allegation in respect of Motor Tanker (MT) Praisel, reportedly conveying stolen crude oil with naval escorts onboard.

He said the clarification became necessary to put the record straight and avoid misrepresentation of facts, particularly the consignments as at the time of interception by TSSL.