The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has
accused Governor Nyesom Wike of encouraging illegal oil bunkering, describing
it as the major cause of the soot shortening the lives of residents of the
State.
Wike had last Sunday, in a state-wide broadcast, declared
those he described as kingpins of oil bunkering activities wanted.
Bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities are on
the high rise in different riverine communities in and around Port Harcourt.
Wike vowed to publish the names of those behind illegal
bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Rivers South-East and Rivers
South-West Senatorial Districts and declare them wanted if they fail to hand
themselves over to the police.
Reacting, the APC said it was baffled that the Governor had
kept mute until now before taking such action despite the overwhelming
criticism by residents and other concerned Nigerians.
According to the opposition party, “From 2015 to date, most
major projects by the Rivers State Government since its inauguration are being
executed by Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd,” the APC said in a statement signed by
its State Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone.
“At the present peak of Julius Berger activities in Rivers
State, the company consumes on the average about 300,000 litres of AGO per day.
This has undeniably become one single biggest AGO consumption volume in Rivers
State.
“Sadly, the entire volume of AGO is sourced from illegal
refiners of the product locally called ‘kpofire’ and the reason is that Julius
Berger in Rivers State buys AGO at between N220 and N240 per litre, whereas,
the official ex-depot price of AGO from NIPCO and other major importers range
from N315 to N350 per litre.
“With Julius Berger buying the product from illegal refiners
below market minimum prices, a huge demand has been created for the kpofire
(illegally refined) products.
“This naturally has encouraged so many people (young and
old) to join the illegal refining business because of a thriving and ready
market.
“The result is a burgeoning illegal refining business which
has, in turn, heightened the level of soot descending on residents of Port
Harcourt and environs, causing all manner of health problems for both the young
and old, in the present and for the future.
“We have seen Gov Nyesom Wike, in his overzealous attempt to
protect Julius Berger and their common business interests, brazenly sack his
Cabinet Commissioner for Environment without replacement to this day.”
APC said that this particular action showed that the
Governor was not willing to take the needed action towards effectively and
holistically protecting the lives of residents but was protecting some persons
due to fear or self-interest.
The opposition party wondered who the governor was afraid of
“in declaring all suspects involved in this life threatening menace wanted in
all the Local Government Areas, particularly those contiguous to Port
Harcourt.”
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