OIL BUNKERING: LGA Chairman Advocates For Pipe Disconnection
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Hon Samuel Nwanosike, the executive Chairman of Ikwerre local government area, Rivers State has called on the management of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) to seek modalities and cut off all illegal lines constructed by illegal oil bunkerers at Ogbodo Community of Isiokpo in the loca government area.
He made the call while inspecting some illegal oil bunkering sites in the area, last recently.
The council boss also solicited for the creation of military checkpoints at the spots, so as to put to an end to the on going bunkering activities in the area.
Nwanosike, who hosted the Rivers State Ministry of Environment and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), along side the SPDC team, called for change in pattern, thus the need for on-the-spot assessment of the illegal oil activity allegedly going on at Ogbodo, Isiopko.
“As far as we are concerned, this visit will mean well for us as a people if after your visit you shut down your main line and cut off all those illegal lines attached to your main line and create military checkpoint in that spot”, he said.
He explained that such moves, would usher in what he described as a win-win situation for both the community and the company.
He further said, ”You are loosing revenue from the crude they are stealing, and the inconvenience of the community being on your neck over the devastation of their environment based on the activity will reduce”, he said.
He warned against illegal oil operation in the area, hinting that his administration, had taken necessary steps in line with the requisite laws in collaboration with Slumberger to crush the already existing locally built refinery in the area.
He further revealed that the feat was achieved by the effort of the Military, Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“Luck ran out of them when we heard information that they were on the spot and we try to visit them at the point in that site. So, they quickly abandoned the site and took to their heels”, he said.
The representative of SPDC, Enger Wobutam Chimezie and his counterpart from NOSDRA, Mr Alexander Igwebu, lauded the council boss for his efforts and assured them that he would take the reports of their findings to the appropriate quarters, for necessary action.
