Chairman of Emuoha local government area, Dr Chidi Lloyd, has expressed displeasure over the silence of multinational oil companies in the ongoing war against illegal oil bunkering and refining activities in Rivers State.
According to him, the companies have not issued a word since the directive by the state Governor, Nyesom Wike, to clamp down on illegal bunkering and artisinal refineries in the state.
Lloyd stated this on Wednesday, when he led a combined team of security operatives to discover new illegal petroleum refining sites in Egbeda community in the council.
“Up till now, nothing has been heard from Shell and other multinationals regarding this illegal oil bunkering activities. Does it mean that they are not aware of what’s been happening in the state.
“Since the marching order from the governor to the council chairmen, we have not heard anything from the operators of the pipelines that were being vandalized by these illegal artisanal petroleum refiners, not even a word of commendation to the governor and the council chairmen,” he added.
The council chairman also accused multinational companies of promoting crude oil bunkering activities in the area.
He explained that operators of artisanal petroleum refineries cannot have access to unrefined products without the collaboration of key officials of the pipeline operating and servicing companies.
He noted that artisanal refiners could only dictate where there is pressure in a pipeline with the assistance of some officials of pipeline operating companies.
Lloyd also accused petroleum marketers and tanker drivers of aiding these illegal activities by helping to transport the illegally refined petroleum products, adding that the union have failed in their duty to caution members against involvement in such activities.
He, however, commended governor Wike for championing the fight against soot pandemic in the state.
