RSHA Assures Ogu/Bolo Support To End Illegal Refinery Operations

A Joint Committee on Environment and Nature Resources led by the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA),Hon. Dumle Maol, has assured the Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Hon Vincent Nemieboka of the resolution to support the council in its fight against illegal oil refineries and their operators in the area.
Maol gave the assurance while on a fact finding mission as part ofthe House’s oversight function to ascertain the level of compliance to the directives of the Rivers StateGovernor, Chief Nyesom Wike, by the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area as regards the ongoing fight against illegal oil bunkering (Kpo-fire) in the state.
Hereminded the leadership of the local government that the Rivers State Environmental Protection and Management Law No. (7) of 2019, as amended has been passed into law, and emphasis has been made on the penalty which would be six years imprisonment and confiscation of the property of anyone culpable.
He told the local government officials that the bill was awaiting the assent of the governor of the state.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Natural Resource, Hon Matthew Dike, thanked the chairman and people of Ogu/Bolo LGA on the efforts put in so far in the fight against ‘kpo fire’, and encouraged them not to relent.
In his response, Chairman, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area,Hon Vincent Nemieboka, briefed the delegation on measures put in place to curb the activities of artisanal refineries and sale of its by-products in the area.
He outlined some of the measures, including setting up a task force that has been traversing the length and breadth of the LGA, adding that their effort has yielded results.
He said that some illegal refinery sites that have caused havoc to the environment and the ecosystem system have also been discovered.
Nemieboka said that the task force washeaded by the Secretary, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council,Hon Daniel Achori.
He further told the team of lawmakers that he has also held Town Hall/Advocacy meetings with the core communities whose domains were used, including theirkings, chiefs, political leaders, youth and women leaders, stakeholder and other players in thecommunities.
He also told them that the advocacy effort had taken him to visit the commissioner of police in charge of Eastern Ports Command and the Port Manager, Nigerian Port Authority.
“They all have responded positively with the assurance that they would join in the fight to stop this menace”, he told the lawmakers.
Also speaking, the member representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency and member of the Environmental Committee, Hon. Evans Bipi praised the chairman of Ogu/Bolo LGA for his efforts, describing him as a great administrator who has done well in the development of the area.
Highlight of the visit was a tour of some of the completed and ongoing projects executed by the local government council.
Other members of the team are;Hon Christian Anyakwo, Hon Evans Bipi, Hon Tekena Wellington, Hon Nathaniel Owaji, Hon Anthony Soberekon, Hon Prince Ngbor, Hon Solomon Sokolo, Hon Lollo Isaiah, and Hon Sam Ogeh.

By: Nelson Chukwudi