Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has uncovered a 25,000 litres capacity illegal refinery under construction in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The illegal refinery, according to the Civil Defence, was busted following credible intelligence.
Speaking, NSCDC Commandant in Rivers State, Basil Igwebueze, lamented that in spite of the continuous fight against oil theft some unscrupulous elements have determined not to repent in sabotaging the nation’s economy.
Igwebueze assured that he will not relent in the war against illegal oil bunkering activities and other ravaging crimes in Rivers State, adding that actionable steps have been taken to cordon the area where the illegal local refinery was constructed.
He said, “We got a credible Intelligence that there is an illegal oil refinery site under construction at Umuechem in Etche Local Government Area. The Command Anti-vandal Unit took a proactive step and swung into action by capturing the environment to forestall all activities of illegal dealings in petroleum products in the area.
“As you can see this illegal refinery is located in a thick bush showing how defiant and desperate the oil thieves can be. Recall that the activities of local refineries has often led to environmental degradation, pollution and health hazards and we will not tolerate that henceforth.
“The following were fabricated and seen at the illegal refinery site; two 20,000 litres capacity receiver open tank, two 25,000 litres cooking oven and two 4inches galvanized pipes of about 400 meters in length.”
The Rivers NSCDC boss further assured that informants would be adequately protected, even as he said the Command will keep waging war against oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in the state.
