The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) taskforce covering the seven local government areas of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District has advised the federal government to exercise caution on establishment of the proposed modular refineries in the country.
The IPMAN taskforce, which made a specific case of Niger Delta environmental degradation by the activities of oil minders, said federal government needs to take a second look at the proposed small scale refineries in the country, considering that sensitive issues associated with refineries could have adverse repercussions.
The chairman of the taskforce, Mr Enyinnah Londy who stated this in an interview with The Tide at Bori, who expressed the need for the federal government to look at the effect of small refineries on the nation’s existing refineries and as well on the environment.
He recalled what played out and the number of years it took Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the federal government on Ogoni clean-up, which he said was not yet sure because of the insincerity involved.
He said modular refineries would encourage more adulterated projects and constitute more danger in the society.
The IPMAN taskforce chairman also stressed that the refineries would further encourage pipeline vandalisation and spillages in the Niger Delta region.
Enyinnah further said that the small scale refineries business would also discourage agriculture and education in the country blaming the continued drop in education standard in Niger Delta region on free oil money occasioned by the illegal bunkering and oil exploration activities in the region.
He said he had expected the Authorities to do thorough investigation and conduct wide spread opinions poll as to identify the negative impacts of the modular refineries on the environment.

Enoch Epelle