TPCN Editorial Board
On Tuesday, the 23rd of November, Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State asked the Federal Government to consider treating those vandalizing oil pipelines in the region as treasonable felons. Wike who made the remark during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Isiaka Amao also said that crude oil theft has persisted because security agents are neck-deep into the business. While the governor’s suggestion that crude oil thieves should be considered as treasonable felons is laudable, he, however, failed to state whether those who refused to provide jobs for the youths, thereby forcing them into crime should equally be considered as treasonable felons.
The proliferation of illegal refineries in the state and other states in the region is not new but reached a threatening height in 2016. This is largely the effect of joblessness created by the failed economic policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led economic policies. This is supported by the lack of investment in human capital development by the Wike-led administration in Rivers which has not initiated youth-friendly programs geared towards self-sustainability of the teeming youths in Rivers.
The administration’s failure to fulfil its promises of employing 10,000 teachers which were later trimmed down to 6000; its failure to also employ the 5000 youths it announced a year ago into the state’s civil service is pushing more youths into criminality and crude oil theft. The principles of cost and effect have made it impossible for the rulers of Nigeria and Rivers state to extricate themselves from blame.
The triple fire incident in Port Harcourt a week ago showed that the business has moved from the creeks into the township. The decision of the federal government to remove fuel subsidy in 2022 will expand the crude oil theft business and associated illegal refinery proliferation, absorbing more youths and causing more fire outbreaks.
It is not just to complain about the environmental degradation, especially the soot caused by these illegal refineries but to find lasting solutions to it which is through the provision of viable alternatives for the youths
