Tina Amanda
An Oil and Gas Union Leader, Comrade Peter Onita, has called on the public to join hands with the state government in the fight to end illegal crude oil refining sites in the state.
Comrade Onita who is the Port Zonal Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria PENGASSAN, in an interview with our correspondent, said the move by the state government is in the right direction, which is targeted at saving the economy and lives spam of Rivers people.
He urged local government chairmen, security agencies to live up to their expectations by ensuring all the illegal refining sites are shut down and destroyed.
“PENGASSAN Port Harcourt Zone, as an Association, we have raised this issue of concern for over three years, we have consistently called on all authorities to do what is right because it is an economic sabotage and has serious health implications on the Rivers people.
“This new year broadcast from the Rivers State government ordering local government chairmen to shut down all illegal crude oil sites in their area is a welcome development and in a positive direction. It will go a long way to checkmate all the illegalities happening in the state and if that is done, Rivers people will be able to breathe fresh air.
“We hope that security agencies and local government chairmen as directed will live up to expectation. All hands must be on deck to save the economy and the Port Harcourt environment, let us not sacrifice our future for the benefit of today. Let’s join hands with the federal and state government, Community leadership’s to ensure a better environment for us all”
Comrade Onita further called on the federal government to look into facilitating the operations of auxiliary refineries of those companies already licensed as it will provide employment opportunities to the teeming youths in the state.
“Having awarded license to most of these corporations, it is important government go a step further to look at those people they have given license to see how far they have gone. I’m aware that some have started putting things in place to start, but a majority of them as we speak are yet to do anything on the license given to them.
“There should also be a follow up with these companies that were awarded licenses to operate auxiliary refineries, in that way most of them will come to light, and having come to light, they will provide employment opportunities for the people of the state. Government at this stage should be holistic in the issues that have to do with refinery.”
