Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Samuel Nwanosike, has said that about 112 illegal refineries have been discovered in the council area.
Nwanosike, who disclosed this while speaking on Channels Television, said that 99 per cent of the discoveries were made in a particular community located along the OML 17 trunk lines.
The discovery comes on the heels of the recent efforts by the state government to bring an end to the economic sabotage brought as a result of the illegal refineries, as well as the health implications resulting from soot pollution.
Governor Nyesom Wike had pledged N460 million to the 23 local government area chairmen to fight oil bunkering in the state.
This implies that each chairman will receive N20 million to destroy illegal refinery sites that have been identified in their respective council areas.
Wike made this pledge last Wednesday when he met with the local government chairmen, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Friday Eboka, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Aliyu Bature.
The governor told the council bosses: “All of you should hire bulldozers and clear all those creeks.
“The government will give you some money so that they will know we are serious. “Those of you who are from the riverine areas, I don’t want to hear it is the creek. Go and clear those areas. Apply to the state government, each of you, at least N20 million for a start to hire the equipment.
“That does not mean you will wait before you start. You must start today, tomorrow. CP, please give them the security to do this work. Don’t give them just two policemen.”
This comes a week after the governor asked the police commissioner to collaborate with heads of other security agencies, the council chairmen and traditional rulers to fish out those involved in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining for prosecution.
The governor had accused those engaged in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining of being responsible for the soot polluting the air and endangering the health of residents of the state.
Wike also declared that the state government had resolved to curb the activities of those involved in crude oil theft and refining once and for all.
Meanwhile, there have been renewed calls to the Federal Government to provide modular refineries to curb the economic sabotage.
