FOLLOWING Friday night’s explosion at an illegal refinery at Abaezi Forest, in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area, Governor Hope Uzodinma says he will no longer treat those who engage in illegal oil bunkering with kid-glove.
The governor, while expressing regrets over the incident, assured that measures were being taken to ensure that the menace of illegal oil bunkering was brought to an end in the State.
Uzodinma spoke today through his Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah.
While commiserating with families of those who lost their lives in the explosion, Opiah prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives.
He said that illegal oil bunkering is a crime that cannot be justified, adding that those responsible for the mishap must be called to account.
His words, “Government will no longer treat those who engage in illegal oil bunkering with kid-glove. No matter how stubborn the challenge of illegal oil blundering is, it remains surmountable, and the Government will surmount it.
“In as much as the challenges always encountered in the fight against illegal oil bunkering are stubborn, they are also very much surmountable. In other words, illegal oil bunkering can be effectively stopped.
“But then, this can only be achieved through strong commitment and collaboration between the people and government.
“The truth is, if we can always expose criminals amongst us, constantly and reasonably demand for accountability from government(s) while staying true to our civic responsibility of always ensuring we elect responsible and responsive leaders into government, the issue of illegal oil bunkering and indeed other crimes will be drastically reduced.”
“Government will no longer view illegal oil bunkering as a tool for blackmail, sabotage, bully or agitation against government. Rather, it should be righty taken for what it is – a fundamental crime and, therefore, existential threat”, he said.
He called on the youths of the oil producing communities to ignore the allure of illegal oil bunkering.
He said that in few days to come, Government will be meeting with critical stakeholders in the oil producing communities as part of finding solutions to the menace of illegal oil bunkering, in addition to announcing other measures to address the situation.
