One of the unabated menaces which has defied security clampdown is illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region.
But in Elem Kalabari where King Dokubo Asari was duly made the traditional ruler by his people and subsequently recognized by the Rivers State Government, illegal refining of crude popularly called kpofire has ended.
This was made possible when King Asari clearly expressed his uncompromising stance against kpofire and indeed matched his words with actions.
Narrating how he ended illegal bunkering within his domain at the Elem Kalabari axis of Rivers State, King Asari said: “I have always been at the forefront of the fight against bunkering. Yes, it has short-term economic gains for individuals but it brings monumental destruction, especially to the environment as well as the economy of the area.
“When you go and rupture the pipeline of Belema Oil, it is your brother that is being affected. Some will say they are illegally mining gold in the North too, but they need to know that the gold they are mining in the North does not adversely affect its environment as crude does here.
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“In the 60s, there was a crocodile sanctuary in Soku community where I was first made a chief before I became the traditional head of Elem Kalabari. Where are the crocodiles now? They have all been killed by the fallout of oil production. The Cawthorne Channel area used to have one of the most diverse species of primate but today, you will hardly see any primate.
“When I came to this Elem Kalabari where I was made the traditional ruler and the government of Rivers State recognized me, there were some people doing kpofire here and I told them to stop bunkering activities or leave the area.
“Today, kpofire has stopped in my domain. I would have gone like other persons to establish my own kpofire refinery and make millions but I did not because it is morally wrong as a former national president of IYC and pioneer leader of the Ijaw Youth Council to be seen encouraging kpofire that harms our people.
“I am also hunting down the hardcore kpofire operators, not because anybody pays me for it. I am hunting them down to make sure they don’t continue to spoil our environment and cause environmental genocide against our people because of the greed of some few persons.”
