January 10, 2022

Following continued public outcry over the persistence of soot in the air in Rivers state, Governor Nyesom Wike on Sunday declared 19 individuals wanted for operating illegal crude oil refining sites said to be responsible for the soot scourge in Rivers State.

The soot menace has raised public health concerns among residents of the state with many claiming rising cases of coughing in their homes and dirtying of their household materials including clothing and beddings.

But in a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Wike directed the Rivers State Head of Service to query one Mr. Temple Amakiri, a Director in the Ministry of Energy, for allegedly abetting bunkering activities and hand him over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.

He assured the people of Rivers State that his government is determined to effectively tackle the soot scourge by destroying and closing down all identified illegal crude oil refining sites and activities across the state.

Wike named the suspects whom he tagged the “kingpins of bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities” and subsequently declared them wanted.

They are: “Mr. Azubike Amadi, OSPAC Commander, Ogbogoro community and Chairman of Akpor Central OSPAC; Mr. India, of Rumuolumeni community and Chairman of Oil Bunkering Association in Akpor kingdom; Mr. Okey who is in charge of Oil bunkering in Rumupareli; Mr. Anderson, who is in charge of oil bunkering activities in Ogbogoro community; Amadi Gift of Ogbogoro community; Azeruowa of Ogbogoro community; and Kingsley Egbula, also of Ogbogoro community”.

Others include: “Mr. Kemkom Azubike, Mr. Mezu Wabali, Mr. Chigozi Amadi, Mr. Opurum Owhondah, Mr. Bakasi Obodo ,Mr. Opus, Mr. Galaxi Mas, Mr. Chioma, Mr. Ogondah, Mr. Soldier, Mr. Chefo, and Nkasi”.

An overtly angry Wike said his government has also identified those behind illegal bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers South-East and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts, adding that their names would soon be published and the persons declared wanted.

He pleaded with residents to report those involved in illegal crude oil refineries and other unhealthy activities to the State Task Forces which now operates at the State and Local Government levels.