The Nigerian Navy, has recorded breakthrough in the war against illegal oil operations in the Niger Delta as it impounded two ocean – going boats containing 150,000 metric tonnes of condensate.
Condensate is a highly inflammable by-product of crude oil.
Some unscrupulous elements supply the product to unsuspecting members of the public as kerosene.
Such action was responsible for the recent serial kerosene explosions in Delta State, in which no fewer than 15 persons died in various towns and communities in the state.
A patrol team constituted by the Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Warri Naval Base, Navy Capt. Samson Ojediran, intercepted the boats at Igbokodo creeks, near Warri, while on routine surveillance of the waterways under the jurisdiction of NNS Delta in the Niger Delta.
The Base Information Officer, Sub. Lieutenant Sikiru Adigun, who conducted newsmen round the seized items, said the illegal oil dealers abandoned their wares and fled on sighting the patrol team.
Adigun quoted Ojediran as saying that the feat was a significant achievement.
“Captain Ojediran described the seizure as a landmark as the influx of these products to the markets at this time could have caused another outbreak of kerosene explosion.”
A team from the Dutch oil firm, Shell Petroleum Development Company, led by Mr. Tonlagh Ebuke, was at the base on Thursday afternoon, to evacuate and subject the condensate to laboratory analysis.
Sep302007