The House of Representatives has mandated its 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 of the country.
The House at the plenary on Tuesday, called for the investigation.
The House also urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to grant licences for the establishment of modular refineries and support their establishment while asking that the existing licences for modular refineries should be reviewed to enable either cancellation or renewal or additional licences.
The House mandated its Committees on Host Communities and Downstream to ensure compliance with the last resolution.
Both joint panels are to report back to the House within six weeks.
The House passed these resolutions based on a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom, Unyime Idem, titled, ‘The Urgent Need to Curb the Activities of Illegal Crude Oil Refineries in the Niger Delta Region to End the Soot Currently Experienced in the Region.’
Idem said, “The House is concerned that the Niger Delta region of the country has over the years been plagued by the activities of illegal oil refineries to the detriment of the lives of residents and the economy of the country. These activities have compounded the age-long problem of environmental pollution and degradation caused by the seismic and exploration activities of the multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta; contributing to the dramatic changes in the weather pattern being experienced in the region.
“The House is further concerned that these illegal activities have sabotaged economic activities of residents of the area, caused severe health hazards on citizens, robbed the country of critical revenue, and aggravated the problem of pollution in the region.
“The House is worried about the case of soot currently suffered by citizens and residents of Rivers State and the environs in the last three years, as a result of incomplete burning of organic matter by these illegal refiners.
“The House is disappointed that some security agencies and some influential individuals have been alleged of complicity in the activities of these illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region of the country.
“The House is worried that if this trend continues unabated, the Niger Delta region will be at health risk and economic activities will crumble.”
