LGA bosses take over hunt for illegal refineries in Rivers State’s forests

The local council bosses in Rivers State have taken over the hunt for illegal refinery sites in the forests and creeks, as ordered by the state governor, Nyesom Wike. There is N2m made available for any informant to reveal a site.

Already, one council boss has tracked down a newly constructed illegal refining site with about 14 huge tanks in Rumuji area of Emohua local council. Rumuji is a notorious area for kidnap of entire bus loads on East-West Road. Many say the calm in highway high-jacks is due to ‘kpo-fire’ or illegal refining business.

Gov Wike who ordered the council bosses into the forests has also demanded for the redeployment of a divisional police officer (DPO) and an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) allegedly implicated in illegal refinery activities.

All fingers so far point to security officers as the real bones at the back of the bunkering rings. The Emohua LGA boss, Chidi Lyod, who has already discovered one site, corroborated the suspicion that security officers were part-owners of the rings.

Wike had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the 23 local council chairmen to provide a comprehensive list of illegal refineries and their operators within their jurisdiction.

The governor gave the ultimatum at a meeting with the council chairmen and heads of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police, the Directorate of State Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at Government House on Friday.

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The governor challenged the council chairmen to prove that they were not complicit in the noxious business that has continued to threaten the health of Rivers people and the national economy.

Wike stated that as a responsible government, it will be unwise for them to fold their hands and do nothing to safeguard residents of the state from the death that is forced upon them by criminal minded operators of artisanal refineries.

Wike said: “If you identify one, you get N2m. So, go and identify as many as you can. I will pay N2m for each one. And I am going to fight against this. Our people are dying and we owe our people the responsibility to protect them, to save them from death they never caused.

“So, you must, and you’re given 48 hours to go and identify all illegal refineries sites, and those who are in charge of them.”

Gov Wike emphasised that any of the council chairmen who is afraid to join in the fight against these criminals operating the illegal refineries should be ready to resign.

According to the governor, part of their social contract with their people is also to protect them and stop any illegal economy practices in their domains.

“I’ve called you here to tell you that it’s a total war. It is either we do it or we don’t do it. We cannot allow what is going on to continue. Two things; our people are dying, two, it’s shortening our own revenue.

“You check from Federation Account, Akwa Ibom and Delta States are getting more, why? Because, these boys of the cartel have caused so much problems for us. So we will not allow it.”

The Rivers State governor also frowned at security agencies for the role some of their personnel have played in aiding and providing cover to the operators of the illegal refineries in the State.

The governor urged the State Police Commissioner, Eboka Friday, to redeploy out of the state a particular DPO in Emohua Local Government Area who operates an illegal refinery in the area.

“It’s unfortunate for this country how security people will be involved in illegal bunkering. I can’t believe it. Mr. CP, I thank you for transferring the DPO in Rumuji, who owns a refinery. But the man must leave here, not transferred. He must leave this state. I can’t be Governor here and security man owns an illegal refinery. No, it is not possible…the man has to go. Take him to wherever they allow bunkering.”

Governor Wike directed the CP to immediately arrest some chiefs, W. J. Wocha, Fubara Ohaka, and Promise Ezekwe, who have been fingered for operating illegal refineries deep inside the forest of Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area.

The governor further urged Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State command, to immediately transfer its personnel in charge of vandalization of pipelines in the State.

“Transfer the man, and tell him to leave. He is a complete saboteur. I mean, how can security men be the one involved in this. What kind of country are we?”

Governor urged the Department of State Service (DSS) to profile persons involved in the heinous illegal refining business and make the list available to him. He assured of acting on the list.