The Chairman, Okrika Local Government Area, Hon. Akuro Tobin, has received members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Joint Committee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources at the Council Secretariat, with a commitment to do his best to end illegal refining of crude oil in the area as directed by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to all local government chairmen in the state.
Tobin promised the Joint Committee that he would not relent in his onslaught against the recalcitrant fellows and their nefarious activities.
He assured them that their fact finding mission to Okrika would be result-oriented as all pictorial evidence and physical visit to illegal refinery sites would be done appropriately.
The chairman thanked the Joint Committee for their visit and fact-finding mission.
He told the committee that a task force on illegal bunkering was set up by his administration as soon as the governor gave the marching order, adding that his administration has achieved tremendous results so far.
He told the Joint Committee that illegal bunkering camps have been destroyed, with seizures made,saying that communities in the area were now enjoying soot-free environment.
The joint committee was led on the visit by its Chairman, Hon. Dumle Maol.
Speaking, the Joint Committee Chairman, Hon. Dumle Maol intimated Tobin that they were in Okrika on a very important assignment.
He reiterated that the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, had declared war on illegal bunkering (Kpo – fire) which was the major cause of soot in the state, adding that as a House, they had taken drastic measures to meet with all stakeholders, including relevant security agencies to ensure compliance with the governor’s directive.
He stressed that the governor had also sent a bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly, addingthat the bill had been amendedto alter the existing law of Rivers State Environmental Management Protection Law, to give all relevant authorities in the state powers to contain the menace of illegal oil bunkering and refineing.
Maol told the council boss that the said bill was now a legal instrument that prohibits illegal bunkering (Kpo – fire), which was causing soot, reminding Tobin that a provision in the bill punishes persons who fail to desist from the illegal activities with six months imprisonment with no option and forfeiture of properties used for the illicit business to the state government.
He further restated the directive of theHouse for the joint committee to interface with the council chairmen to see how they were complying with the directives of the governor of Rivers State, and to report back to the House after their fact-finding mission.
Okrika Assures Rivers Assembly Of Synergy In ‘Kpo Fire’ War
