Delta Jetty And Depot Seek-Revival: IPMAN And Justice Agenda Call For Action

Delta Jetty And Depot Seek-Revival: IPMAN And Justice Agenda Call For Action

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and a rights group, Justice Agenda, have faulted the prolonged closure of the Taurus jetty and depot in Warri, Delta State.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDRA) sealed the facilities in January while investigating the discharge of over 9.8 million litres of water instead of PMS shipped through MT Austria vessel.

Chairman of IPMAN, Delta State, Harry Okenin, lamented the hardship faced by his members whose products are locked up in Taurus depot.

He said it was unfair to subject the depot and its members to unquantifiable losses over a matter they know nothing about.

Executive Director of Justice Agenda, Abira Solomon, said the continued closure of the jetty and depot is not only hurting businesses but also sending a wrong signal to investors.

He urged NMDRA to quickly conclude its investigation and make its findings known instead of ruining businesses and keeping stakeholders in the dark.

The group said: “While we believe that NMDRA is rightfully carrying out its mandate of investigating an alleged breach in the sector, our concern is that the investigation into the Koko terminal incident is taking too long and has grounded business activities in the region.

“For six months, the only terminal used by vessels for the discharge of petroleum product was rendered unusable as MT Austria was grounded there. One of the five depots there, Taurus, is also under lock and key.

“While we insist that NMDRA must do a thorough investigation into ascertaining how a fuel consignment shipped by NNPCL turned out to be water, we insist that shutting off Taurus jetty and depot perpetually is wrong.”