Ship Collision: Torukongo Community Drags NIMASA, Maersk Line to IMO Over Alleged Abandonment
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Torukongo Community Union, representing the Ikpokiri/Torukongo Coastal Communities of Ogu Creek and Bonny Channel, has escalated its grievance over the pollution of their waterways to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), following what it describes as continued inaction by the Nigerian Maritime Safety Administration (NIMASA) and the shipping companies involved, months after the community first raised the alarm with the agency.
In a petition dated 6 August 2026 and addressed to the IMO Secretary-General, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, the community called for the withdrawal of Maersk Line and Blue Dolphin Petroleum Limited’s membership, and for the arrest and prosecution of MV Maersk Valparaiso and MT Lady Martina over the collision between the two vessels in the Bonny Channel on 20 May 2026, which it said polluted the Ogu Creek communities.
The petition was signed by HRH Amb. Victor K.I. Nangibo De I, JP, Paramount Ruler of Ikpokiri/Torukongo Coastal Communities, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, and Board of Trustees Chairman of the Torukongo Communities Union.
“We the Torukongo Community Union is a registered organization with the cooperate affairs commission (CAC) form by the communities and fishermen and women of the Ikpokiri/Torukongo Coastal Communities of Ogu creek and Bonny channel as inhabitant and indigenes.
“On behalf of the affected communities from the pollution of 20th May, 2026 from the accident (collision) between this two vessels MV MAERK VALPORAISO- IMO NO:9433054 AND MT LADY MARTINA- IMO NO:5104033, we the affected communities including the fishermen and women on the destruction of the marine ecosystem, mangroves, fish ponds, fishing gears and lost of daily livelihood for more than three months, the Nigerian Maritime Safety Administration who are investigating the incident has not done anything despite their promise of cleaning up and compensation of the affected communities including fishermen and women all parties including the Presidency in charge of the MDA’s is aware of the incident we the communities that are affected by the pollution fishermen and women, the list has been sent to the shipping companies and the NIMASA Director General Dr. Dayo Mobereola,” the petition read.
The community said it had exhausted local channels of engagement, including an earlier SOS letter addressed to Hadiza Bala Usman, before turning to the global maritime regulator for intervention, citing the worsening condition of the ecosystem and the continued suffering of affected fishermen and women.
“We write to you this letter to use your good office to compel the shipping companies to do the needful as the condition of the ecosystem the fishermen and the women is getting worst everyday we also need immediate cleanup to the river to avoid more damages,” the petition stated.
The Union noted that it had attached letters and a list of affected fishermen to the petition, excluding losses to fish ponds and mangroves, and demanded that the companies be held accountable for failing to compensate victims or clean up the affected area.
“Attached are the letters and list of affected fishermen excluding the fish pounds eco system and mangroves. We the Union are writing to you this letter requesting for the withdrawal of these companies membership and prosecution for failure to compensate the affected communities, fishermen, women for their fishing gears and cleanup the affected area before the matter goes out of hand,” the petition read.
As at press time, NIMASA, Maersk Line, and Blue Dolphin Petroleum Limited were yet to respond to the community’s allegations.
