23rd September, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Operatives of the Anti-Vandal Unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC have discovered and destroyed two illegal refineries with capacity to refine 45,000 litres of crude oil in Rivers State.
The two refineries or illegal cooking pots, as they are popularly called with a capacity to refine 20,000 litres and 25,000 litres respectively were discovered at Umuechem in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Rivers NSCDC boss, Basil Igwebueze, told journalists that the command, based on credible intelligence, took steps to cordon off the area where the illegal local refineries were constructed.
He said the NSCDC will not relent in its fight against oil vandals in the state urging residents to give credible information to uncover illegal oil refining activities in the State.
Igwebueze lamented that despite ongoing efforts to combat oil theft, some unscrupulous individuals continue to sabotage the nation’s economy by setting up illegal refineries.
He said NSCDC has declared war against illegal oil refining and other ravaging crimes in Rivers State.
He listed items discovered at the refinery sites to include two 20,000-litre capacity receiver open tanks, a 25,000-litre cooking oven pot, and two 4-inch galvanized pipes about 400 meters in length at the site.
He assured that the unit has taken proactive measures to protect the environment and forestall illegal dealings in petroleum products in the area.