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Black soot: Wike directs query of Ministry of Energy Director for abetting bunkering activities

Nyesom Wike

Black soot: Wike directs query of Ministry of Energy Director for abetting bunkering activities

By Admin

Jan. 10, 2022

…Declares 19 Persons Wanted For Operating Illegal Refineries in the State

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State directed the State Head of Service to query one Mr. Temple Amakiri, a Director in the Ministry of Energy, for abetting bunkering activities and hand him over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.

The governor stated this in a statewide broadcast on Sunday, where he also declared 19 “kingpins of bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities” wanted for operating illegal sites responsible for the black soot menace in the State.

He said the government is resolved to pragmatically tackle the soot pandemic by destroying and closing down all identified illegal crude oil refining sites and activities in the State.
He stated that following his 2022 New Year Message outlining measures to tackle the black soot menace, the State Taskforce on Illegal Street Trading raided some illegal crude oil refining sites in Port Harcourt and arrested a number of recalcitrant persons.

The governor identified some of the individuals as follows: 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”.

Others are: 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”.

Wike noted that his government has also identified those behind illegal bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers South-East and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts, adding that their names would be soon published and they’ll also be declared wanted, if they fail to voluntarily report to the Police.

He called on residents of the State to report persons involved in illegal crude oil refineries and other damnable activities to the State Task Forces which has already been set up at the State and Local Government levels for immediate action.

The governor assured the people of Rivers State that his government is determined to effectively tackle the soot menace by destroying and closing down all identified illegal crude oil refining sites and activities across the state.