Group To Partner RSG On War Against Illegal Bunkering

A group known as Independent Crude Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, has thrown its support behind the Rivers State Government on the war against illegal oil refining in the state.
The body said the resolve of the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration to fight illegal oil refining was a step in the right direction as it will help in mitigating the damages to the environment and its negative effects on the health of the people.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the body, Comrade Saturday Igboye and the Vice Chairman, Comrade Anthony Yorwika, the body stated that it was ready to partner with the Rivers State Government to stop the activities of illegal crude refiners which has damaged the environment and caused economic sabotage to the nation.
The body, which commended the efforts of the Rivers State governor in fighting against illegal oil bunkering, also known as “kpo fire”, said part of its objectives was to embark on advocacy and community vigilance to detect and expose all sites were illegal oil refining are carried out.
The statement, read in part that, “We are deeply concerned about the the activities of illegal crude oil refining which has resulted to the emitting of soot to the air and caused severe damages to the environment and inflicted health hazard on the lives of the people.
“Our business as a body is also badly affected by the menace of the illicit act. We are happy that the Rivers State Government has declared a full blown war against illegal oil refining, and we are ready to make our contributions to ensure that the act is put to a stop so that our environment can be restored”.
The body added that it would deploy its operations and task force units to work in active collaboration with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to stop illegal oil refining in the state.
“We are also working out modalities to establish our unwinking presence in the rural areas and coastal communities where the acts are carried out. We will work with local government chairmen and community-based organisations to ensure that the mandate and objectives of the Rivers State Government to quell the activities of illegal crude oil refiners are achieved”.
As part of measures to curb the dangers associated with illegal oil refining, the body called for the establishment of modular refineries in the Niger Delta to boost the participation of the people in the downstream petroleum sector, adding that such initiatives would not only create employment opportunities for the youth but avert the continuous economic sabotage inflicted on the nation by the activities of artisanal crude oil refiners.

By: Taneh Beemene