The Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State; Hon. Hope Ikiriko has done well in the fight against illegal oil bunkering in the area.
The Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Hon. Dumle Maol, made this commendation when the chairman led members of the committee to the various artisanal refining camps and illegal bunkering sites in the LGA.
Speaking further, Maol gave thumbs up to Ikiriko for his doggedness and consistent effort in the fight against illegal activity within his locality; saying “We want to commend him and also encourage people from the local government to support in what he is doing.
“This is a death sentence declared on our people. And for me, he is on a rescue mission because if you look at what they have done here, even those that are doing it, do not know the implications of what they are doing. If they know, they will not devastate this environment like this.
“It will take time and pains to restore this place to what people can use. But if not for what the governor and the local government chairman are doing, we wouldn’t have known what the future would have been by now.”
The committee boss expressed satisfaction on the strategic steps taken by Ikiriko to evacuate the illegal refining facilities instead of causing further damage on the environment and air pollution.
The committee members, who were on an on-the-spot assessment as part of their oversight function, also observed that the green vegetation within and around where the illegal activity was perpetrated has been completely destroyed.
In a brief remark, the Chairman of Ahoada West LGA, Hon Hope Ikiriko reiterated his commitment to the fight against the illegal refining activity.
According to the council chairman, “the impact of this activity has caused us alot of health problems, and no right thinking human being would trade with people’s health. I will not give up until this fight is won. I have assured them that my office is open for anyone with a genuine business plan. They must engage in alternative livelihoods. Otherwise, we will continue to disallow them from damaging our health and environment. Just look around, no more green environment!
“I must commend the Governor of the state; Chief Nyesom Wike for his commitment to stamping out the menace from the state:, he said.
He also commended the efforts of the Rivers State House of Assembly, saying that “This singular approach initiated by the state House of Assembly, championed by the House Committee on Environment, has given us the necessary boost needed to execute the task.
“So, we will continue to appeal to the communities to discourage this illegal activity, and report them to the appropriate quarters. We are not spirits, government works with reliable information. This fight can only be won with the support of the residents and all the stakeholders in our various communities”, he said.
The committee visited Ula-Okobo refining sites and Oshika community refining points.

By: Nelson Chukwudi