An explosion and fire at an illegal oil refinery site in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State killed, at least, 30 people, including a pregnant woman. The blast happened where illegal refineries are common. Reports said the death toll had been increasing because many of the bodies were completely burnt and dozens of people were severely injured.
Some sources revealed that workers at the site were involved in refining crude oil that had been illegally obtained from a vandalised pipe. Unfortunately, explosions at locally-run refineries are not uncommon in the locality, including the Niger Delta region, which is rich in hydrocarbons but plagued by poverty.
Emohua is often targeted by chronic oil theft, leading to a high number of incidents. To avoid detection, shady operators frequently set up refineries in remote locations, where they can bypass regulators. However, these facilities often lack adherence to safety standards, resulting in frequent fires and accidents. Tragically, one such incident occurred in Imo State, last year, claiming the lives of over 100 people.
In 2021, a tragic incident occurred in Rumuekpe community in Emohua LGA, resulting in the loss of many lives. An explosion at an illegal refinery site, known as “kpo fire” in the Ijaw language, caused the death of operators and injuries to others.
This was not the first incident, as a few months earlier, another fire explosion claimed many lives from an illegal oil tapping point. The inferno also destroyed vehicles near the pipeline in the same community.
We strongly denounce the actions of illegal refiners within the local government area, in particular and Rivers State in general, as their activities have resulted in unprecedented calamities. Security agents should take immediate action by apprehending and prosecuting these perpetrators. It is disheartening to witness the helplessness of law enforcement agents, particularly the police, and operatives of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who are often compromised by these illegal refiners as they freely move in and out of the area with illicit products.
Traditional rulers and stakeholders in Emohua communities are to blame for this felony. They must discourage illegal oil bunkering and artisanal refinery activities in their domains. The Rivers State Government should not hesitate to depose these rulers who permit illegal oil bunkering activities to continue in their communities. Aside from the soot problem and economic sabotage associated with the criminal activities, government’s facilities such as internal roads are damaged.
The Chairman of Emohua LGA, Dr Chidi Lyod, should not tolerate the presence of artisanal crude oil refineries in the area. While his current actions are praiseworthy, he must strengthen his efforts by dismantling all identified illegal crude oil bunkering and artisanal refinery sites within the area. Also, the state government should demand a comprehensive list of these illegal refinery locations and their operators, aiming to destroy such places and prosecute their owners.
It is troubling that the production of adulterated petroleum products persists despite the rigorous security measures and surveillance efforts. Unfortunately, the loss of lives and property caused by illegal refineries continues to rise, despite the presence of community heads, community development committees (CDCs), and local vigilante groups tasked with protecting oil installations.
No doubt, Nigeria lost $3billion in stolen crude oil from January 2021 to February 2022, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Despite being a major oil producer in Africa, the Niger Delta region lacks vital services and job prospects, leading to residents feeling neglected by the government. While illegal oil theft is unacceptable, the federal and state governments should set up modular refineries to generate employment for the youths.
Modular refineries are a promising solution to combat illegal petroleum refining. Involving community youth and women organisations as security personnel can enhance their implementation. This not only provides them with livelihood opportunities but also empowers them to protect their interests. By creating refining and marketing opportunities for the youths, we can effectively reduce illegal refining activities caused by unemployment.
Unlawful refining is a pressing issue that cannot be ignored, as it is primarily carried out by individuals who tamper with oil pipelines for their own illicit gains. It is vital that we address this problem by raising awareness among the relevant authorities. Governments at all levels, as well as the agencies involved in crude oil production, must take immediate action to combat this problem, as it has inflicted grievous harm on numerous communities.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other interventionist agencies should train and equip youths to prevent them from engaging in illegal refining. This will reduce joblessness, gas flaring, and criminal refining while boosting the economy and revenue. Multinational oil companies should also endorse efforts to make young people productive.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) should provide disaster risk information, implement strategies, and raise awareness of the consequences of illegal crude oil refining to local communities. Community leaders, traditional and religious leaders, women, and youth groups should support NEMA, act as watchdogs, and advocate against prohibited refining activities to protect lives, property, and the environment.
Disaster risk management relies on local and collective efforts, which should be prioritised before gaining national attention. Security agencies and regulatory bodies in the oil and gas sector should join forces to address outlawed refining at its source to prevent and mitigate disasters. Limited access to socio-economic opportunities has increased community vulnerability and led to risky and illegal activities. By tackling these underlying factors, we can create a safer environment for everyone.