Port Harcourt Refining Company has said it recorded drastic reduction in pipeline vandalism and adulteration of petroleum products in its host communities.
Spokesman for the company, host to the two 210,000 b/d Port Harcourt refineries, Ralph Ugwu
said the positive trend came as a result of enlightenment campaigns the PHR carried out against vandalization in the area.
The campaign he said hinged on the dangers and effects of pipeline vandalism and adulteration of petroleum products on the economy of the nation, the environment and health of the communities.
“A few months back, apart from campaign against pipeline vandalism, we also launched campaign against adulteration of petroleum products because we have discovered that there are a lot of adulterations of petroleum products going on around our premises,” said Ugwu.
“And I am happy to inform you that we have done a check and our check revealed that the rate of this adulteration has drastically reduced because the people are now aware of the dangers inherent in adulterating petroleum products.
“One of which is the lifespan of their engines and their machines. Another is environmental degradation, environmental pollution; another is health.”
The manager also said the company had set up a micro-credit scheme in its host communities to assist indigenes to become self-reliant and to fight poverty.
Ugwu said about 2000 indigenes of Eleme and Okrika areas would benefit from the revolving, interest-free loan scheme which would be disbursed through cooperative societies recognised by the two councils.
