Update:
Britaina-U FSO Infano: One of Two Missing Persons Found Alive.
By Divine Perezide
Great joy overwhelmed work colleagues, friends, and family as search party reportedly found one of the two missing men from July 18 explosion that rocked a Floating, Storage, and Offloading (FSO) vessel operated by Britana-U Offshore Oil firm.
IduwiniVoice reported earlier that a crude ladened FSO belonging to the Ajapa Offshore Marginal Oil Field operator, Britaina-U got fire due to yet-to-be-resolved circumstances midday at Ogulagha waterfront, Estuary of the popular River Forcados in Delta State.
While two injured and fourteen active personnel onboard (POB) were reportedly save ashore by an initial rescue party, two other POB were reportedly missing as of 8 pm Thursday.
Our source who do not like to be named has today, confirmed that further search operations have found one of them. The man who disembarked the burning vessel onto a Inflatable Life Raft had drifted far out of sight from the FSO as the time of rescue operations yesterday.
As further search continues, family, friends, well-wishers, and the management of Britaina-U only hope that a similar safe story be told about the remaining missing POB at the end of this episode.
It is however, not clear if the management of Britaina-U, the NNPC, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Oil Spill Ditection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas and the Federal Ministries of Environment and Petroleum Resources have made any official statements, as communities around the Forcados Estuary have started feeling the immediate air and water pollution occasioned by the collosal industrial accident.
Go nowhere as IduwiniVoice keep tabs on the daily happening of the situation from the Frontline.
Brittania-U FSO Infano: NIMASA Reportedly Breaks Silence.
By Divine Perezide
In a rather joyous turn of events, the Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reportedly released ann Official Statement over the FSO explosiuthat rocked the Forcados Estuary on July 18.
According to the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, all personnel onboard (POB) have been rescued alive from the mayhem.
Read full statement below:
“NIMASA
*” PRESS RELEASE
“VESSEL FIRE INCIDENT IN THE NIGER DELTA – ALL CREW MEMBERS RESCUED.
– As NIMASA DG sets up incident command center.
“The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA on Thursday, 18th July,2024 received signals from the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (RMRCC) Lagos, that Britania U, a drilling platform was under distress at Ajapa Field, (OML 90), 10.77 Nautical miles South of Forcados Terminal Ogulagha kingdom in Burutu LGA Delta State, Nigeria
“All nineteen crew members onboard the ill-fated Britania-U drilling platform were successfully rescued from the Vessel.
“The Agency collaborated with other responding Agencies and first responders to ensure the safe rescue and evacuation of the crew and other exposed persons during the incident.
“The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola has set up an incident command center in the office of the Agency’s Executive Director Operations, to prepare an effective situation-based response plan against oil spillage or other incidents affecting the marine environment and safety of navigation.
“Furthermore, in line with its mandate under the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, the Agency’s Marine Accident Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the direct and remote causes of this unfortunate mishap. The outcome of the investigation will be published and recommendations arising therefrom implemented.”
Osagie Edward, FNIPR
Head, Public Relations
NIMASA
Update:
Gov. Diri Inspects Nembe-Brass Road, Affirms Unwavering Commitment to Development Despite Construction Challenges.
Gov. Diri Inspects Nembe-Brass Road, Affirms Unwavering Commitment to Development Despite Construction Challenges.
By Admin,
Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, reaffirmed the state’s dedication to progress as he inspected the ongoing construction of the historic Nembe-Brass road project. Despite challenges posed by the escalating costs of construction materials, Governor Diri remains resolute in advancing Bayelsa’s infrastructure.
In a statement to the press during the inspection, Gov. Diri addressed concerns regarding the continuation of the project amidst the high cost of construction materials, emphasizing that Bayelsa’s development trajectory remains unyielding to such obstacles. “Development cannot be arrested as a result of the high cost of construction materials,” he asserted, highlighting the flexibility of the contract to accommodate variations as necessary.
Expressing contentment with the current pace of work, Gov. Diri reiterated that the development of the state stands beyond politics. “I am very satisfied. It shows that we never played politics with development in this state,” he remarked, underscoring the inclusive nature of development initiatives across all regions of Bayelsa.
Governor Diri also seized the opportunity to commend President Tinubu for his commitment to the project, revealing promising outcomes from their interactions. “His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whom I have met twice, has given me his word that he has directed the Minister of Works to collaborate with us towards completing the second phase of this road,” Gov. Diri disclosed, emphasizing the proactive steps taken towards project realization.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts between the state government, federal authorities, and project stakeholders, Gov. Diri urged the Minister of Works to expedite actions to ensure timely project completion. “I want to see the people of Bayelsa drive in their cars to Brass town,” he declared, illustrating the tangible outcomes envisioned for the state’s residents.
J. J Cosme, the Area Manager of SETRACO overseeing the project for Bayelsa and Delta States, provided insights into the construction progress, highlighting significant milestones achieved thus far. “We have achieved 65 per cent of the sand filling and almost 2.5 kilometers of the sand cement and stone base,” Cosme reported, signaling forthcoming activities post-Easter break, including the commencement of bridge construction.
With unwavering determination and collaborative synergy, Gov. Diri and stakeholders remain steadfast in propelling Bayelsa’s development agenda forward, surmounting challenges and advancing towards a future of enhanced infrastructure and prosperity for all, said a close associate of His Excellency.
Photo Credits: Philip Omojefe.