AEEPM warns DPR over disposal of 1.5m contaminated Off-Spec petroleum products
Leading environment-concerned non-governmental organization (NGO), the Africa Environmental & Economic Peace Mission (AEEPM) has called on the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to be cautious of the fragile environment in its planned disposal of 1.5 million contaminated off-specification (Off-Spec) petroleum products discharged by a vessel – MT JAZI at the Nakem Jetty depot, Kirikiri, which was discovered few days ago.
In a statement issued Thursday in Lagos, the group said “Whereas we welcome the arrest of contaminated petroleum products by the DPR and Nigerian Navy, we are further concerned with the decision to destroy the product”.
Petroleum products adulteration has negative impact on the environment and may hinder the effective performance of car engines and sometimes completely damages the engine.
“It is our wish that the DPR tell Nigerians the way and manner it will use to destroy contaminated petroleum products.
It would be recalled that the Director of DPR, Mordecai Ladan had at media briefing, said that the vessel has been ceased and will be subsequently destroyed.
Ladan, who was represented by the Zonal Operations Controller, DPR, Lagos, Wole Akinyosoye, said investigations after the discovery on the February 11, 2017, revealed that the vessel discharged at Nakem Jetty depot, which is the owner of the product had no DPR authorisation, and importation licence.
He said samples of the product from the MT JAZI at the said depot after laboratory analysis confirmed the product is off spec.
“Having failed on all the basic parameters especially in colour, specific gravity and flash point showed the product being docked at Nakem does not meet the standard of specification of any white product.
He said the depot has been sealed by DPR since February 12, 2017, and the vessel, MT JAZI is under naval custody.
Besides, Ladan noted that no record of any product importation by Nakem as well as record of any through putt of that facility with a third party for product storage at that time.
