Oil theft: Why we extended Operation Delta Sanity – Ogalla, Navy Chief
From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Naval Staff(CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Thursday announced the extension of the ongoing Nigerian Navy special operations to wipe out crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Sanity (ODS), by three months.
Ogalla, said that the extension has become necessary because of the good job, significant achievements and progress of the operation.
The CNS, made this known at a media briefing held at NNS Pathfinder in Port Harcourt.
The navy chief noted that Operation Delta Sanity, which was launched on January 6, to combat the escalating cases of illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and other maritime crimes in the nations waterways has yielded tremendous results with the arrests of several oil thieves, seizures of illicit vessels, and the discovery and destruction of illegal refineries spread across the Niger delta region.
The navy chief who lamented the incessant cases of crude oil theft that was almost crippling the nations economy, said that President Bola Tinubu had directed the navy to end oil theft at all cost and ramp up Nigerias oil production to optimal production level.
Ogalla, said that the presidents directives led to the launching of ODS with deployment of personnel, naval platforms, helicopters, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta.
He said Naval commands, units and bases were directed to conduct both kinetic and non-kinetic operations to stem maritime criminal activities.
“Initially planned for 90 days (three months), the ODS has now been extended by another 90 days due to its achievements,”.
He said that since the establishment of the special operation, over 74 suspected oil thieves, pipeline vandals, sea robbers, and others were apprehended, adding that the troops also intercepted over 14 large motor tanker vessels that entered the country waterways illegally without proper authorisation.
The CNS, who commended officers and ratings of the operation for their bravery and determination to end crude oil theft, said “The operation has disrupted the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals across the Niger Delta, denying them the freedom of action they once had in the nations maritime domain.
He also said that that the destruction of numerous illegal refining sites scattered across the Niger Delta has significantly improved the quality of air in the region.
While noting that some naval personnel involved in the operation lost their lives during the operation, the CNS, commiserated with their families and prayed God to grant them eternal rest.
He said “During the past three months, troops recovered substantial quantities of stolen crude oil and other petroleum products, dismantled numerous illegal refining sites, and arrested several suspects.
“Additionally, troops seized 95 wooden boats, fibre boats, vehicles, and deactivated over 119 storage tanks and dug-out pits within the illegal refineries.
“To this end, the Shell Petrol Development Company (SPDC), NNPCL and other oil and gas operators have recently reported an increase in their terminal factor,”.
He listed some of the arrested vessels to include MT kali, MT Harbour Spirit, MT Syfnil, MT Okito, MT Velanirious and MT Sweet Mary.
He said “One of the vessels, MT Sweet Mary was arrested 174 nautical miles off Nigerias coast, showcasing the Nigeria Navys capacity to police the backwaters and coastal zones.
“MT Sweet Mary was given a hot pursuit after attempting to evade arrest, demonstrating our resolve to pursuing errant vessels into the open sea and beyond our maritime domain,”.