A security expert in the Niger Delta, Captain John I. Williams, has castigated security agencies for their continuous destruction of illegal oil bunkering barges and their contents.
He said that the situation is contributing to the pollution of the environment.
Capt. Williams, who is the Commander-General, Merchant Navy Mernacscan Aguasi Military Outfit, said this in an interview with The Tide in his office at Isaka in the Okrika local government area.
According to him, the destruction of the barges means that the contents will be spilled into rivers, that will further pollute the environment.
He said, instead of destroying the  barges and their contents, the seized crude can be sent to the  refineries to be refined.
Capt. Williams further said that the advice, if heeded would not only save the Niger Delta environment from pollution, but create employment opportunities for the people.
He, however, warned men and officers of the Merchant Navy  Mernacscan of involvement in the destruction of barges, stressing that his men have been instructed to ensure that illegal oil bunkering vessels are not destroyed with their contents.
The security expert further noted that within the past few years, his agency had apprehended a number of youths allegedly involved in the nefarious activities, adding that they have all been handed over to the appropriate agencies for prosecution.
He, however, stressed the need for the creation of job opportunities for youths in the region, adding that if that is done, their level of involvement in illegal oil bunkering would be reduced.
Captain Williams also urged for support from the authorities to enable his organisation continue with the task of securing the water ways and checking illegal oil bunkering.