Collaborations between the Ghana Navy, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority and some security agencies have led to the arrest of two Nigerian vessels and their crew members who were engaged in illegal transfer of crude oil in Ghana’s waters.
Available information indicates that the vessels with the capacity of 1000metric tons were transferring 320 metric tons of crude, a practice which is deemed illegal.
According to the acting CEO of National Petroleum Authority, Alhassan Tampuni the vessels involved had no license.
He said in instances where the crude oil is confirmed to have been stolen, Ghana is likely to be considered as a destination for stolen products, hence the need to arrest the perpetrators so as to serve as a deterrent.
The chief staff officer at the navy headquarters Commodore IssahYakubusaid Ghana’s navy is on top of its job to curtail all illegal activities at Ghana’s anchorage.
He said investigations have commenced by security agencies ascertain how the vessel got into Ghanaian waters without documentation and whether the crew are fit to man the vessel.
