Pollution: Okrika Chiefs Finger Security Agencies

The Okrika Divisional Council of Chiefs has criticised security agencies for aiding and abetting  the pollution of the Niger Delta region.
A representative of the council, Chief Tamuno Akaluogbo said this at an Oil and Gas Surveillance Forum recently in Okrika.
Chief Akaluogbo who also represented High Chief  Ateke Tom at the Forum criticised the security agencies for always setting ablaze vessels used for illegal oil bunkering activities.
He said that the contents of the destroyed vessels were one of the major factors for the pollution of the environment.
According to him, Niger Delta youths should not be solely blamed for illegal oil bunkering as it is people in high places that are providing the equipment for the illegal trade.
According to him, the Okrika nation is ready to partner with the Federal Government to ensure the success of the proposed modular refinery programme and appealed for the licences to be given to indigenes of the Niger Delta regions.
Also speaking, chairman Oil and Gas Surveillance Stakeholders Forum, Elder Sunday Odonebo said that, the forum had embarked on series of campaigns against illegal oil bunkering.
According to him, the Forum was organised to provide opportunity for the people to speak with a united voice.
“The platform is to enable the people to speak with one voice and reach out to those who are interested in contributing their quota to the development of the communities.
Also, the forum is to inform the Federal Government that there will be no illegal oil bunkering within Okrika territory,” he said.