JTF clears vessel accused of oil theft, releases it to continue operation

<p>The Commander said that OPDS would continue to display high sense of diligence, transparency, synergy and professionalism.</p>, <span>JTF clears vessel accused of oil theft, releases it to continue operation. ChannelsTV</span>, <h2>The Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to protect oil facilities in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) on Sunday absolved the impounded vessel, MT Praisel, of involvement in oil theft and cleared her to continue its operations.</h2>, <p>The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the clearance follows the discovery that the vessel’s operation was legitimate and received extant approvals.</p>, <p>Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, the Commander of JTF, who stated this during a press briefing at the JTF Headquarters in Yenagoa, said the vessel met the standards to operate legally.</p>, <p>He explained that MT Praisel was granted approval by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to load 1,114,721 litres of High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO).</p>, <p>Ferreira said the vessel was to convey the product from Greenmac Energy Storage at Tarus Jetty Koko in Delta from July 26 July to Aug. 8, adding that the approval was subsequently amplified by the Nigerian Navy for compliance.</p>, <p>He said that the Nigerian Navy personnel were deployed on board to monitor the vessel’s loading and discharge to ensure strict compliance with the approval by the NMDPRA.</p>, <p>“However, on Aug. 2, 2023 Tantita Security Services Ltd, reportedly acting on intelligence, suspected the vessel to be laden with crude oil and approached an element of Operation Delta Safe to accompany their operatives to board the vessel to confirm the product on board.</p>, <p>“It is pertinent to note that Tantita and other pipeline surveillance companies do not embark on independent operations. Operations are conducted in conjunction with OPDS units and troops based on intelligence provided by sources.</p>, <p>“Subsequently, the vessel was taken to Escravos Anchorage in the early hours of Augus