Following the soot crisis in Rivers state, his Excellency Nyeson Wike, Governor of Rivers state has cracked down on illegal oil bunkering activities, going on the offensive as 19 persons have been declared wanted. The clamp down gas revealed a huge decay, purposeful health and economic sabotage of the citizenry going on in the state.
It’s so shocking to know that notable names within government agencies and security agencies have been found complacent in this illegal act. The House of Representatives during plenary on Tuesday has specifically requested that the IG of police, Usman Baba, and heads of relevant security agencies to immediately initiate a clamp down on the activities of these illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region of the country and prosecute anyone found culpable.
But who are the enablers?
According to Governor Wike, a certain DPO in Rivers state owns an illegal refinery. That’s an individual who is meant to maintain law and order. Well, this is Nigeria.
Even the traditional rulers are complacent and are the number one enablers of this illegal act. For crying out loud you are destroying your ancestral land. Well, anything for the bag anyways.
Even the NSCDC anti-vandal unit in Rivers state has been disbanded by the commandant general of the corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, following the strong allegations by the governor.
In reality one would think as Governor Wike continues his war against illegal bunkering in the state, it would best be a combined effort nationwide to clear the rot once and for all. If you think illegal oil bunkering and illegal refineries are only peculiar to the Niger Delta, you’re in for a shocker.
Just recently, the Nigerian Army uncovered an illegal oil bunkering depot in Oregun, Ikeja area of Lagos State. This just shows that the rot of illegal oil bunkering is spreading far and wide at an alarming rate.
But we all know this venture isn’t for someone who can’t make ends meet. It requires loads of financial buoyancy, so who are the big sponsors?
Who are those who buy the finished products?
These are questions that needs to be answered. There is a need to end this menace once and for all, and that’s by fishing out the major financiers and dealers.
This has to end now!
