The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has alleged that the ill-fated Majestic Rig which capsized at Ovhor in Warri, Delta State, recording casualties has been operating on Nigerian waters since 2016 without requisite approvals from the agency.
The agency in its first official reaction to the accident said on Wednesday that, its initial findings confirmed that the ill-fated Rig belonging to Depthwize Nigeria Limited, and which is Panama Flagged was operating illegally.
In the statement which was signed by Osagie Edward; Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA said that however, “in line with the mandate of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, which includes safe shipping and cleaner oceans, a team comprising of Search and Rescue and marine accident investigation officers have been dispatched to the scene of the incident involving the Majestic Rig belonging to Depthwize Nigeria Limited, which capsized at Ovhor in Warri, Delta State.
The ABS Classed inland Water Drilling 232 feet-long Barge, with a rated drilling depth of 30,000 feet collapsed where it was been towed from N04, 30:34 / E00543:57 enroute Ovhor 21 that belongs to SEPLAT Oil field in Delta State.
NIMASA said it, “has initiated contact with the Clean Nigerian Associate, a conglomerate of all International Oil Companies (IOCs’) responsible for the cleaning of Tier 2 oil spill, to establish the level of spillage at the scene of the incident.
“In addition, the Agency is in communication with officials of SEPLAT Energy Limited chatterers of the ill-fated Rig who are expected to officially report the incidence within 24 hours in line with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007”, the statement concluded.
