Public Health: Soot from illegal oil refineries destroying ecosystem in Rivers ─Governor

*The Rivers State Government of Nigeria says it is resolved to pragmatically tackle the soot pandemic by destroying and closing down all identified illegal crude oil-refining sites and activities across the state

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Illicit oil-refining activities of certain persons have continued to constitute a threat to lives, living, and property of the people in Rivers State.

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State said this in a statewide broadcast Sunday, January 9, 2022, when he declared 19 people wanted for operating illegal crude oil-refining sites responsible for the black soot menace in the South-South state.

Illegal oil-refining site in the Niger Delta

It was gathered Governor Wike also directed Mr. Temple Amakiri, Head of Service (HoS) in Rivers State to query a certain Director in the Ministry of Energy for abetting bunkering activities and hand him over to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution.

The governor said that the state government had resolved to pragmatically tackle the soot pandemic by destroying and closing down all identified illegal crude oil refining sites and activities in the state.

According to him, the Rivers State Government has outlined measures to tackle the black soot menace, as the State Taskforce on Illegal Street Trading recently raided some illegal crude oil-refining sites in Port Harcourt, the state capital, and arrested a number of disobedient individuals.

Government declares 19 kingpins of bunkering, illegal crude oil-refining wanted

Wike in his braodbcast also identified kingpins of bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities declared wanted and who should report themselves to the State Police Command.

The governor said: “Mr. Azubike Amadi, OSPAC Commander, Ogbogoro community and Chairman of Akpor Central OSPAC; Mr. India, of Rumuolumeni community and Chairman of Oil bunkering Association in Akpor kingdom; Mr. Okey who is in charge of Oil bunkering in Rumupareli; Mr. Anderson, who is in charge of oil bunkering activities in Ogbogoro community; Amadi Gift of Ogbogoro community; Azeruowa of Ogbogoro community; and Kingsley Egbula, also of Ogbogoro community.”

Others the state government also declared wanted are the following persons who are alleged to be in charge of oil bunkering activities in Isiokpo community: Mr. Kemkom Azubike, Mr. Mezu Wabali, Mr. Chigozi Amadi, Mr. Opurum Owhondah, Mr. Bakasi Obodo ,Mr. Opus, Mr. Galaxi Mas, Mr. Chioma, Mr. Ogondah, Mr. Soldier, Mr. Chefo, and Nkasi.

Wike further noted: “We have also identified those behind illegal bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers South-East and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts and their names would be soon published and declared wanted, if they fail to voluntarily report to the Police.”

The governor, therefore, urged residents of Rivers State to report those involved in illegal crude oil refineries and other damnable activities to the Task Forces already set up at the State and Local Government levels for immediate action.

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