Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared 19 persons wanted for allegedly operating illegal crude oil refining sites responsible for the black soot in the state.
There have been reports on how residents of the state are dying slowly as a result of the soot pollution caused by illegal oil refining.
The governor has also directed the Rivers State Head of Service to query a director in the Ministry of Energy, Mr. Temple Amakiri, and hand him over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution for allegedly abetting bunkering activities.
Wike, in a broadcast on Sunday, 9 January, said the government had resolved to tackle the soot by closing down all identified illegal crude oil refining sites in the state, The Cable reports.
“Furthermore, the following persons who have been identified as kingpins of bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities in their communities have been declared wanted and directed to report themselves to the State Police Command, to whom we have already passed their details to,” Wike was quoted as saying.
“Mr. Azubike Amadi, OSPAC Commander, Ogbogoro community and Chairman of Akpor Central OSPAC; Mr. India, of Rumuolumeni community and Chairman of Oil bunkering Association in Akpor kingdom; Mr. Okey who is in charge of Oil bunkering in Rumupareli; Mr. Anderson, who is in charge of oil bunkering activities in Ogbogoro community; Amadi Gift of Ogbogoro community; Azeruowa of Ogbogoro community; and Kingsley Egbula, also of Ogbogoro community.
“Also declared wanted are the following persons who are alleged to be in charge of oil bunkering activities in Isiokpo community: Mr. Kemkom Azubike, Mr. Mezu Wabali, Mr. Chigozi Amadi, Mr. Opurum Owhondah, Mr. Bakasi Obodo, Mr. Opus, Mr. Galaxi Mas, Mr. Chioma, Mr. Ogondah, Mr. Soldier, Mr. Chefo, and Nkasi.
“We have also identified those behind illegal bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers South-East, and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts, and their names would be soon published and declared wanted, if they fail to voluntarily report to the police.”
The governor asked residents of the state to report those involved in illegal crude oil refining and other illegal activities to the task forces set up at the state and local government levels for immediate action.
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