Category: News

An Oil spill response firm from the United Kingdom has joined Total Energy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to tackle the crude oil spill from Egina.

With this Nigeria may be losing about 2.3 million barrel of crude oil as a result of spill from Egina oil field in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Daily Trust investigation learnt.

Egina is a Floating Production and Storage and Offloading (FPSO). Discovered in 2003, the Egina oil field is located at water depth of between 1,400 and 1,700 metres, 200 kilometer offshore from Port Harcourt and it’s is operated by TotalEnergies.

Egina FPSO is 330 metres in length,61 metre across and 34 metre high and with a storage capacity of 2.3 million barrel.

The Crude oil spill incident took place during loading operations in Egina around 6.30am on November 15, 2023.

It has continued to spread since then despite concerted efforts by NIMASA, TotalEnergies, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency NOSDRA, and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC to contain the spillage.

Though the volume of spill is not yet confirmed, Total Energies is currently providing aerial surveillance, dispersant application, while further mobilization is being considered.

Reconnaissance survey of the impacted area confirms that the shoreline communities of Andoni, Qua-Iboe terminals, Bonny Island, Opobo/Nkoro and Eastern Obolo, which are closest to Egina, are not yet affected.

NIMASA is working closely with the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency NOSDRA, and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC from the Crisis Management Room CMR, where the spill is being monitored real time using oil spill monitoring software from the Emergency Response Center.

The Oil Spill Response Limited from the United Kingdom is also assisting with pollution control measures.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, noted in a statement signed by the Head of the Public Relations unit of the Agency, Mr. Edward Osagie, noted that the Agency is in collaboration with all stakeholders to control the pollution and also put in place measures to prevent such occurrences in the future, in line with provisions of the MARPOL Convention.

“Since the incident happened, our men have been liaising with other organs of Government to ensure the pollution is effectively controlled and managed, to protect the marine environment and the communities close to the incident point.

“Accidents do happen, it’s what we do thereafter that matters and I believe that the IOC Total, working with NIMASA, NUPRC, NOSDRA and collaborating with international service providers, will surely ensure proper management of the spill” he said.

Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, conveyed the Nigerian Navy’s keen interest in partnering with the Department of Fisheries and Agriculture.

This collaboration aims to bolster capacity building, conduct joint patrols, and enhance electronic surveillance to harness the benefits of the blue economy.

The FOC shared this vision during a courtesy visit to the Director of the Department of Fisheries, represented by Deputy Director Mrs. Oladosu Olanike, in Lagos.

Acknowledging the historical rapport between both organizations, Admiral Hassan assured the Fisheries Department of the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to combatting diverse maritime crimes. This visit was part of the FOC’s ongoing tour across the Western Naval Command Area of Responsibility.

Recognizing the limitations in patrol platforms within the Fisheries Department, the FOC proposed the deployment of Fisheries Department personnel aboard Nigerian Navy ships during patrols. This joint initiative would ensure the enforcement of fisheries regulations at sea, contributing significantly to the advancement of the blue economy. This aligns with the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, emphasizing effective ocean governance and fostering the country’s blue economy.

Admiral Hassan further advocated for collaborative efforts through onshore training for Nigerian Navy crew members. This training aims to enhance their skills in implementing fisheries regulations during sea operations, especially in scenarios where fisheries department personnel might not be present.

In response, the Director of Fisheries affirmed the department’s readiness to collaborate extensively with the Nigerian Navy. She expressed optimism about nurturing a progressive relationship between the two organizations, focusing on joint efforts towards maritime safety, regulation enforcement, and the growth of the nation’s blue economy.

Commander Patricia Ochei, Command Information Officer of the Western Naval Command, disclosed these developments, highlighting the mutual commitment of the Nigerian Navy and the Fisheries Department towards fostering enhanced maritime governance, regulation enforcement, and the promotion of the blue economy in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Navy (NN) successfully executed a daring maritime rescue operation, saving the Cameroonian-flagged Motor Fishing Vessel AFKI (MFV AFKI) after it drifted off course for four weeks.

The vessel, identified by its registration number UK12 and IMO number AFKI 8432780, encountered engine trouble while en route from Bangul in Gambia to Congo Kinshasa on October 24, 2023. Depleted fuel led to the vessel straying into Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone after drifting from the coast of Sao Tome and Principe.

Despite futile attempts by the vessel owners to locate it, a Note Verbale from the Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy revealed that the MFV AFKI’s last known location was approximately 72 nautical miles off the Nigerian coast.

Responding swiftly to the distress call, the Nigerian Navy deployed the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DORINA, equipped with Maritime Domain Awareness facilities, for a Search and Rescue Operation (SAR). On November 17, 2023, at approximately 2000 hours, NNS DORINA successfully located and made contact with the distressed vessel 17 nautical miles off Pennington terminal.

Upon boarding, two foreign crew members were found onboard. Thorough checks by the NNS DORINA Boarding Party confirmed no involvement in illicit activities aboard the vessel. Consequently, NNS DORINA towed the MFV AFKI, with assistance from NNS IKENNE, to Escravos, Delta State.

The NN’s Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS assumed custody of the fishing vessel for further administrative procedures, preparing for its handover to the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The MFV AFKI had drifted aimlessly for almost a month before the Navy’s rescue operation.

The Nigerian Navy reiterated its commitment to maritime safety, emphasizing collaboration with local and international partners to ensure the security of vessels and crew operating within Nigerian waters.

“This rescue operation aligns with the NN’s mandate for Safety of Life at Sea and Search and Rescue, in line with Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s Command Philosophy.

Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan, Director of Information, issued the statement, highlighting the NN’s relentless pursuit of excellence, professionalism, ethics, and respect for human rights in executing its duties.

The successful rescue of the drifting Cameroonian fishing vessel MFV AFKI stands as a testament to the Nigerian Navy’s dedication to safeguarding maritime operations and ensuring the safety of all seafarers navigating these waters.

The Western Naval Command ceremoniously inaugurated the Fourth Quarter Sea Exercise, named EX EJA EXPRESSION, showcasing a multifaceted approach encompassing various maritime activities to enhance operational readiness and efficiency. The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan Gss FC(+) nwc(+) psc(+) (+) MA MSc MNIM welcomed participants, emphasizing the exercise’s significance and objectives.

Moreover, fleet maneuvers, gunnery exercises, vertical insertion, and VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) training using helicopters and interceptor boats constitute key components of the exercise. Communication exercises and seamanship evolutions are also integral parts of the operation.

Hassan said that the name derived from both the Yoruba and English languages, “EJA,” meaning “Fish” in English, encapsulates the exercise’s essence. Among its core aims is addressing Illegal Unregulated and Unreported Fishing (IUUF) prevalent in the Gulf of Guinea. 

The exercise is a multi-faceted outing and the name gives an inclination of the ideas behind it.

“It is well known that Illegal Unregulated and Unreported Fishing (IUUF) is significant in the GuIf of Guinea.

“Therefore, to hone our skills in our policing role, we will train today on vertical insertion and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) using our helicopters and interceptor boats,” he said.

The FOC added that other exercises like communication, and seamanship evolutions among others would also form part of the operation.

“The Western Naval Command is therefore launching this exercise to work up her ships and personnel in keeping up with our constitutional responsibilities.

“EX EJA EXPRESSION will greatly enhance the proficiency of Nigerian Navy personnel in the command and also enable us to test the operational state of our machinery,” Hassan said.

Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Doctrine Command Rear Admiral Habila Zakaria, who flagged off the exercise said that the exercise was to assess the fleet’s readiness to combat situations.

“The function of the Western Naval Doctrine Command is to conduct combat readiness assessments of all the fleets within the Nigeria Navy.

“This is to ensure that the fleets are always prepared to carry out their functions, whether during wartime or peacetime,” he said.

Zakaria said that the assessment would be based on conducting maritime operations, aspects of war-fighting, and checking how the ships carry out exercises to evaluate their major operational readiness.

“In a nutshell, as a Naval Doctrine Command, we will assess and work on them, contributing to the combatant CNS exercises,” he said.

The presence of Rear Admiral Zakaria, FOC Naval Doctrine Command, adds to the exercise’s depth, contributing to the assessment of combat readiness. The FOC urged personnel to demonstrate prowess, emphasizing the importance of a stellar performance to achieve commendable results.

The exercise, aligned with the Western Naval Command’s constitutional responsibilities, aims to refine the skills of naval personnel while assessing the operational state of machinery. Collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, including governmental agencies, underscore the significance of partnerships in fortifying interoperability and enhancing security within maritime domains. This collaborative approach contributes to the overarching goal of fostering a vibrant blue economy.

Hassan acknowledged the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, and the unwavering support provided, ensuring a safer environment for economic activities within the area of responsibility. Recognition was extended to sister services, security agencies, and maritime stakeholders for their consistent collaboration in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Expressing commitment to facilitating legitimate business activities within the waterways, the Western Naval Command called upon the public to share credible information to aid in eradicating criminal activities. Assurances were made regarding continued collaboration between the Command and the public for the nation’s greater good.