RS Governor Charge LGA Chairmen To Identify Illegal Oil Refineries In Their Localities Within 48 Hours ...... Order Transfer Of Ibaa Community DPO And State Commander NSCDC

 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has directed Chairmen of the Twenty-Three Local Government Areas to identify all illegal oil refineries in their domain and those engaging in the illicit business within Forty-Eight hours. 

Governor Wike gave the directives at a meeting with Heads of Security Agencies and Local Government Chairmen in the state, announcing a reward of two million naira for any identified spot of the illegal oil refinery. 

The Governor who noted the seriousness the state government attaches on the fight against illegal oil bunkering which he observed is bigger than the war against Boko Haram, accused the Council Chairmen of being part of the business, warning them to be battle ready with the state government, failure to comply with the directive. 

Reminding the Council Chairmen that leadership comes with challenges and the need for them to be ready to take responsibilities that comes with their position, the Governor however commended the Chairmen of Emouha and Ikwerre Local Governments for their bold step in identifying illegal bunkering sites in their domain and confronting them headlong.

Governor Wike also blame security agencies for aiding and abetting illegal oil activities in the state which has also affected the states revenue from the federated account, and reiterated his call for the State Commissioner of Police to prevailed on the IGP to transfer the DPO in Ibaa out of the state as well as the State Commander of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC to ensure that the officer in charge of pipeline is transferred out of the state. 

The Governor further implore on the State Director of Department of State Services, DSS to profile and forward to his office all those involve in illegal oil refining business in the state, no matter how highly placed for necessary action.