Following a recent outcry from residents of River States over activities of illegal crude-oil refiners resulting in black spots all over major communities, the state government has revealed that it has destroyed no fewer than 82 illegal crude oil refineries across communities within Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed yesterday through a statement signed by the Press Secretary of Ahoada West Local Government council, Madu Madueke, on behalf of the Chairman, Ahoada West Local Government, Hope Ikiriko,
According to him, the demolition was carried out by the local government, in collaboration with other security agencies, following an order from the Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike, to the 23 local government Chairmen in the state to identify and destroy all illegal crude oil bunkering and artisanal refining sites in their areas.
“During the exercise,19 illegal refining points were destroyed in Idu-Ekpeye and three in Ebrass communities while drilling machines and other local equipment used for the illegal crude trade were impounded.
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“Four camps were destroyed in Ukpeliede, a community which harboured 28 illegal crude refining points including Ula-Okobo, Oshika, Akala-Olu, Akiogbologbo, and Okarki, among others were destroyed during the raid,” he said.
Following the development, the Council Chairman, Madueke, therefore restated his commitment to sustaining the fight against the illicit oil trade until sanity was restored to the area now bedeviled by poor air quality.
He added that the council will no longer tolerate lawlessness; hence it has come to ensure an end to the life-threatening bunkering business.
“Operators have ignored warnings; they have received series of warnings from the Governor through different means. We are left with no option but to protect our environment,” he said.
The Chairman ended his comment by commending all volunteers who provided tip-offs that enabled the raid while blaming multinational oil companies in the state for complicity and poor relationship with government at all levels.
