Navy Uncovers Six Illegal Refineries In Rivers

In its determined commitment to curbing illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism, the  Nigerian Navy says it has uncovered six new illegal refineries in Rivers State.
All the uncovered illegal refineries were reportedly uncovered in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt recently, the Flag Officer Commanding  the NNF Pathfinder, Captain Victor Achoji, said the uncovered illegal refineries produced four million litres of petroleum products daily, with attendant hazards on the environment.
He assured the preparedness and commitment of the  Navy to fight the menace of illegal refineries, noting that the Navy had deployed relevant equipment to fight the menace.
He said the activities of operators of illegal refineries did not only constitute economic sabotage but also have devastating effects on the natural environment and warned the perpetrators to desist from the act or face the consequences of the law.
Meanwhile, some stakeholders have  decried the activities of illegal oil refineries operators in Rivers State, stating that the act has constituted serious environmental and health challenges to the people of Rivers State.
An environmental sociologist, Dr Steve Wodu, said illegal refining of petroleum products the Rivers State has destroyed the ecosystem and as such displaced the people of their natural means of livelihood.
Wodu, who is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of Port Harcourt, cautioned against the continuous operations  of illegal refineries in the state noting that the damage to the environment was a damage to the spirit of man, as the environment is man’s first right.
He commended the Navy and other security outfits over their efforts in fighting the menace of illegal refineries and called for a more intensified effort to address the challenges posed by illegal refineries.
He advocated for public sensitization against the act and called for proper remediation of impacted sites.
According to the university teacher, only proper environmental awareness campaign can help in tackling the problems, as most people involved in the act are not only driven by selfish economic gains but crass ignorance of the consequences of their activities.
Also, the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Restoration Project (HYPREP), Dr.  Marvin Dekil has said that the operation of illegal refineries was a major hindrance to the smooth implementation of the United Nations Environment  Programme (UNEP) Report in Ogoni land.
Dekilwho commended the Navy over its effort in combating illegal refineries, called on all stakeholders to work towards putting a lasting solution to the problem of illegal refineries and bunkering to safe the natural environment of the Niger Delta from further degradation.

Taneh Beemene