Rivers: Wike Explains Why He Shut Illegal Refineries

By Toisn Olatokunbo

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has ordered the immediate shutdown of illegal crude oil refining sites in the state. The state governor also said security has improved following the demolition of criminal hide-outs and shanties.

As one of Nigeria’s oil-bearing states, there are many illegal refineries scattered across numerous creeks in the state.

The government’s action, the state helmsman said, is necessary to contain soot pollution which is dangerous to human health.

The directive was contained in a new year message signed by his spokesman, Kelvin Ebiri. Governor Wike directed council chairmen and community leaders to report illegal refineries operators in the state to government for prosecution.

The governor said his government decided to act because security agencies have failed in their duties.

Since the security agencies have failed to arrest the situation “we have no option than to take necessary measures to tackle this particular and direct challenge to our collective health and survival by ourselves.

“Consequently, I have directed the chairman of Port Harcourt city local government council to go after all the illegal crude oil refining sites along Creek road and adjourning areas of the city and shut them down with immediate effect.

“Furthermore, all local government chairmen are directed to work with community leaders to locate and identify those

On crime, the state governor said security has greatly improved following the destruction of criminal hide-outs.

Wike said his government has made “the State even safer and more secure, we have decided to demolish all shanties and makeshift structures in identified crime hotspots in Port Harcourt Township and the Illabuchi areas of Diobu from the second week of January 2022.

“Those rebuilding the shanties we had demolished at Eleme or attempting to resume illegal trading activities at the closed Oginigba slaughter have one week to vacate or be arrested and charged to court”.

He said undeveloped properties, particularly in Government’s Reservation Area, GRA have now become the abode of fleeing criminals

“Additionally, we have discovered that most vacant plots or uncompleted buildings in the Old and New Government Reservation Areas (GRA) and some other parts of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas have been hijacked and are now inhabited by criminal elements who are daily constituting a menace to public safety,” the governor stated.