30 illegal refineries discovered in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has discovered 30 new illegal refineries with combined capacity to produce about four million litres of petroleum products daily.
Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the  Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt,  said this during the  destruction of one of the illegal refineries on Thursday.
He said all the illegal refineries were discovered in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers  with 40 huge metallic storage tanks .
Some of the storage tanks were filled  with petroleum products suspected to be diesel and crude oil.
According to Choji, the discovery was  in continuation of the  current mop-up of illegal refineries and illicit bunkering of petroleum products by crude oil thieves.
“The discovery was in compliance with the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas’ strategic directive to rid Rivers  of all forms of maritime illegalities.
“Following this directive, troops started an onslaught and discovered the very heart of the production line and infrastructure of illegal bunkering at Iyalama community in Asari Toru LGA of Rivers.
“The 30 refineries have capacity to refine between three to four million litres of diesel daily – which is quite massive.
“The sizes of the illegal refineries show that the LGA is indeed the epicentre of illegal bunkering activities in the state,” he said.
Choji said the navy had deployed a “Swamp Buggy” machine with intent to reduce the ability of operators of the illicit enterprises to revive the illegal refineries.
He said the use of  the machine  was part of   the new strategy   which involves  complete crushing of metal tanks rather than setting both storage tanks and petroleum products ablaze.
The new strategy, he said, was adopted following reports that burning of illegal refineries was partly responsible for the current air pollution in Port Harcourt.
Choji, who said the navy was committed to protecting the environment and health of residents, gave an  assurance that it would carry out its mandate in line with global best practices.
He said the activities of the oil thieves  had  affected the economic fortunes  of the country  and  polluted the environment.
“There has been an outcry on sedimentation of sooth within the atmosphere and sometimes erroneously misconstrued to be from activities of the military against illegal bunkers.
“However, the Nigerian navy has adopted the use of swamp buggy which at the moment is the most environmentally friendly approach to our fight against oil theft,” he said.