House of Reps
BY GODWIN OBI
The house of representatives has mandated the Inspector General of Police and other relevant security agencies to immediately clampdown on persons involved in illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta Region of the Country and prosecute those found culpable.
The House resolution is subject to a motion of urgent public importance by Unyime Idem from Akwa Ibom state.
The lawmaker expressed worry that the Niger Delta Region has over the years been bedeviled by activities of illegal oil refineries at the detriment of the lives of residents and the economy of the country.
The illegal activities according to lawmakers have compounded the age-long problem of environmental pollution and degradation caused by the seismic and exploration activities of multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta; a development that has contributed to dramatic changes in the weather pattern being experienced in the region.
The menace was identified by the House as responsible for the slow pace of economic activities in the area, caused severe health hazards on citizens, robbed the country of critical revenue and aggravated the problem of pollution in the region.
Members called for issuance of modular refinery licenses to stakeholders and review the operations of existing modular refining companies.
They expressed disappointment that some security agencies and influential individuals have been alleged of complicity and mandated it’s Committees on Police Affairs, Navy, Army, Defense and Interior to investigate the alleged involvement of security agencies in the illegal oil refining in the Niger Delta Region
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