In a bid to end the raging soot pandemic caused by illegal crude oil refining activities in Rivers State, the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael Williams, has tasked traditional rulers in the LGA to submit names of all operators of artisanal refineries, popularly known as ‘Kpofire’, to the council or face government’s sanction.
Williams gave the directive, during a stakeholders’ meeting, held with monarchs of the nine communities of the LGA, at the Council Secretariat in Degema.
He directed the traditional rulers to immediately convene town hall meetings with their people in their respective communities and communicate government’s position on the menace, warning that the government would no longer fold its arms and watch the activities of few individuals, endanger the lives of the citizenry.
“Go home, convene a community meeting, and talk to your people, sensitising them on the danger in the continued activity of ‘Kpofire’ on the ecosystem, particularly, to human life.
“Those of them you cannot talk to, submit their names to me to do the needful.
“If you fail to submit their names, it simply means that you are abetting the crime committed within your locality, and government shall not hesitate to treat you as an accomplice,” he warned.
Williams, who disclosed that the issue of oil and gas was on the Exclusive List and within the purview of the Federal Government, noted that the Rivers State Government, under Governor Nyesom Wike, was doing a lot to ensure that the Federal Government fulfils its promise of setting up modular refineries in the country to create jobs and curb the proliferation of illegal artisanal refining sites.
He added that while the governor’s efforts were on, the recent order given to all council chairmen to clampdown on all bunkering activities in the state, was not only to end the economic sabotage on the nation, but also in the best interest of the helpless masses, who were daily deluged with soot droppings in their homes and premises.
Williams stated that the governor, being a compassionate and proactive leader, decided to take the step in order to protect the lives of Rivers people, who were daily exposed to respiratory diseases, due to the soot in the atmosphere.
“The governor is working assiduously to ensure that the modular refineries, promised by the Federal Government, are set-up, but before that is achieved, he cannot fold his arms and watch the illegal activities kill Rivers people,” he added.
He said that the meeting with the traditional rulers would continue with other stakeholders in the LGA, including the security operatives, in order to permanently address the menace.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, Chairman of DELGA Traditional Rulers Council and Nwaomema (Amanyanabo) of Bukuma, King Stephen Tobins, commended the Rivers State governor and the council chairman for taking the bold Initiative to address the scourge.
The monarch, who stated that the issue of ‘Kpofire’ was a great threat to Rivers people, assured that the traditional institution would support the government by properly sensitising their people on the need to look for better means of livelihood, rather than engaging in activities that endanger the lives of everyone, including theirs.
In attendance at the meeting were monarchs and chiefs of all the nine communities of the LGA.