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Presidency Hails Wike’s Fight Against Illegal Refineries …Tasks Other Govs To Emulate Rivers Example
The Presidency has challenged other states in the Niger Delta to emulate the courage and boldness of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in frontally tackling the scourge of illegal bunkering and refining of crude oil in the region.
The Federal Government said that with all state governors in the region taking similar steps, the menace would be eliminated, and the soot emission, as a result of the air pollution would be a thing of the past.
Speaking at while appearing on Arise TV programme, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang, said governors from the affected states should rise to the occasion and deal with the situation as it was not the purview of the Federal Government to do so.
Apparently shifting the responsibility for the control of the black soot that has been ravaging parts of the Niger Delta region, from the Federal Government to the state governments, the former Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on National Assembly Matters, said that since the states control lands in their localities, they should deal with the problem.
Though he gave kudos to Rivers State governor on the way he has handled the soot menace in the state so far, but, however, quickly added that what was happening was essentially ‘re-pollution’ as the illegal refiners would simply relocate to remote areas to carry out their activities.
“I will commend Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on the way he has handled the soot crisis in the state so far,” Enang said while reacting to a question by one of the anchors of the programme.
“But what he has done is what I will call re-pollution of the environment because the so-called illegal refineries will simply move to other locations and the problem will continue.
“Those who are into these illegal refineries are not just mere illiterates or uneducated artisans you find on the streets.
“Many of them are highly educated. These are people who are well trained in petroleum refining engineering and technology. They are well educated in petroleum technology and pipeline technology, so they would always put their knowledge to use.
“They are well knowledgeable and they are not being engaged. Like I said, Wike has only addressed the problems in Rivers, and not in other states.
“Yes, Wike has taken a decision and other governors must take decisions on these illegal refineries.
“The problem is in Delta State, it is in Akwa Ibom State, it is in Bayelsa State. And the governors of these states are the ones who must tackle the problem and not the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration because the governors are in charge of lands in their states.
“The so-called illegal refiners are not just ordinary criminals like I said. They are highly educated and sophisticated and must be engaged by the state governments to put their knowledge to good use.
“The government of the respective states should create refinery parks for these people so they would not be forced to engage in the illegalities they are engaging in.
“These people are from the respective states and should be engaged by their state governors to put their knowledge to good use.
“We should stop calling them illegal refiners but engage them for greater use.
“The NDDC should look for ways to engage them. The equipment they are using are fabricated by graduates of Petroleum Training Institute, Efurum and other top universities in the country.
“The various state governors must take responsibility of protecting their lands because they control the lands in their states and not the Federal Government.
“We need to call everyone to the table to find a way to bring these illegal refiners on board to work with the government which will in turn, bring about a good working harmony,” Enang said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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