OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — Management of Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd, SEPCOL has said three persons reported missing following an explosion that engulfed its Floating Production Storage Offloading, FPSO facility on Wednesday, have been found in a nearby community.
A statement signed by the firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Ikemefuna Okafor on Sunday,
explained that the three crew members are currently receiving the “appropriate medical attention they need” following the unfortunate explosion and subsequent fire that burnt down the FPSO, Trinity Spirit at the Ukpokiti Terminal in the early hours of the said day.
It however, said one dead body was discovered in the vicinity of the FPSO today. The identity of the dead body is yet to be ascertained.
“As earlier confirmed, the fire burnt out completely as of Thursday afternoon, 3rd Feb. 2022, thus enabling closer inspection of the vessel. A Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) with the relevant authorities, stakeholders, and expert organisations took place on Saturday, 5th February 2022.
“The focus of our joint efforts is to prioritise investigations towards establishing the whereabouts, safety, and security of the 7 crew members still missing, clean up and limit damage to the environment, and establish the cause of the explosion.
Independent reports from the community on the day the explosion occurred, had confirmed the death of three members of the 10-men crew as a result of “failing safety critical equipment”.
“We appreciate the assistance provided by the Clean Nigeria Associates, the Chevron team, NOSDRA, NUPRC, SPDC, NIMASA and people in the community, particularly the fishermen, who have been of immense assistance since the incident occurred.
“Members of the public should continue to keep away from the area while our Crisis Management Team monitors developments in the investigations and update all stakeholders with new information accordingly”, the statement read.
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