The Government of Rivers State has declared about 19 people wanted for alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering activities which is the primary source of soot.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that Governor Nyesom Wike, who made the announcement in a statewide broadcast on Sunday, ordered those affected to ‘report themselves to the state police command.’
The Governor said he has also ‘given the full details’ of the persons involved to security agencies for prompt action.
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He also directed the state head of service to issue a query to “a director in the Ministry of Energy” for alleged involvement in illegal oil refining.
The Governor also said his administration has identified other sites of oil bunkery in other parts of the state and warned that the operators would be called out soon ‘if they fail to report themselves.’
Speaking on his earlier ban on activities of cart pushers and the use of motorcycles in some parts of the state, the governor said some suspects have been arrested and would be charged to court on Monday.
Wike had last week ordered an immediate shutdown of all illegal crude oil refining sites in the State as a means to ending the soot issue that is beginning to spell doom to the health of the people of the State.
Africa Daily News, New York gathered that the Governor gave this order in his new year message.
The governor directed council chairmen and community leaders to report those behind illegal bunkering and crude oil refining sites in their localities to his office for prosecution.
The move, Wike stated, has become necessary to contain the menace of soot pollution which has continued to endanger public health in the state.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
