Maritime
Navy Warns Ship Owners Against Illegal Marine Activities
The Nigerian Navy Service (NNS) has warned ship owners and companies operating in the Niger Delta communities to shun illegal marine activities or risk seizure of their vessels.
The Service also appealed to ship owners and other stakeholders to seek and obtain all necessary approvals before embarking on any maritime activity in the region.
NSS made this known in a statement by its Executive Officer, NNS, Delta, Navy Capt.Levi Deyin, while handing over a vessel, MT Madam Esther, that was allegedly impounded to its owner, Snow White Energy Limited.
The Service explained that the vessel, MT Madam Esther, was impounded in respect of alleged illegal activities at Escravos in Delta State.
Deyin said the vessel which was released to the representatives of the company at the Warri Naval Base, was seized in January 2020 in Escravos by the Naval personnel following its alleged involvement in illegal activities.
He said that the vessel was released to its owner following the conclusion of the case and approval from the Naval headquarters.
“MT Madam Esther was arrested by the Base in January 2020 for its involvement in illegal activities.
“Following the conclusion of the case and the approval from the Naval headquarters, I, Capt. Levi Deyin, on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), hereby handover the MT Madam Esther to you.
“You are hereby warned to desist from all forms of illegalities in the future and to always obtain the necessary approval for your activities’’, Deyin said.
The statement added that the manager of the company, Mr Okpoi Iteimo-owei, accompanied by some staff were present to receive the vessel on behalf of the firm.