The battle against illegal refining may be a lost one due to the social and economic support now being provided to the communities by the youths involved in illegal refining. Thus, despite the bad sides and environmental disasters, the leaders and community members are said to be comfortable with the activity that has emerged as an alternative source of kerosene.
Investigations reveal that one drum of illegally refined kerosene is sold for N8000, making it possible to sell a litre for N50 instead of N400 per litre for officially refined product.
Confirming the situation, the regional director of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Cyrus Titus Nkangwung, said fighting pipeline vandalism and illegal refining may be a difficult task because the youths have rather become heroes in the communities.
He told members of the Energy and Maritime Reporters Corps (EMR) who visited him last week that pipeline vandalism is now a major headache. “We have not been able to catch culprits. Youths are taking laws into their hands. Government and oil companies are all liable. What development has government delivered to oil communities?”
Continuing, he condemned the situation whereby oil communities buy kerosene at very high prices, saying it causes frustration in oil communities. “Some monarchs and leaders in communities rather see the youths causing vandalism as heroes. One monarch said at a function that he would never ask the youths to stop what they are doing, to stop illegal refining.
He said they do not see government kerosene, so why would they not appreciate the one the youths produce. For this reason, the chiefs see the youths as saving grace. It is thus difficult to stop the boys.”
He however frowned at the practice, saying it is destroying the environment and this cannot be the solution to scarcity of kerosene or other grievances. “To destroy the environment is not good and we will work with groups willing to protect the environment to achieve this.”
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of EMR, Martins Giadom of Radio Rivers, said the correspondents covering the two sub sectors (Energy and Maritime) were worried at the level of environmental pollution caused by both oil companies and pipeline vandals.
He said information in the fight against pollution is difficult to come by and pleaded with NOSDRA to open its doors more to the reporter. He offered partnership that would help the EMR members et specialized training and access to correct information.
He commended NKangwung for numerous achievements including collaboration with other agencies and sustaining the activities of his predecessors.
The regional director welcomed the partnership offer and said all information henceforth would be made available to EMR team now that it is clear that they would handle it with responsibility.
