The Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Port Harcourt Branch has urged the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike to sustain the fight against illegal bunkering and artisanal oil refineries in the state.
The Nigeria Bar Association NBA Port Harcourt Branch in a statement signed by its Chairman Prince Nyekwere said the decisive action of the Governor towards taming the illicit activities of the operation of illegal refineries in the state has reduced the soot in the atmosphere.
Nyekwere said the soot in Rivers State has a negative impact on the environment and the health of residents in the state.
The NBA while commending the bold steps taken by the Rivers State Government promised to support the Governor in tackling the menace of illegal oil bunkering and artisanal oil refineries in the state.
He added that the suggestions raised by professionals during the branch’s Law Week last December on the topic: ‘The Menace of Soots in Rivers State is yielding the desired results as evidenced by the Governor’s onslaught on operators of illegal oil refineries.
The Full Statement reads:
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Port Harcourt Branch wishes to commend His Excellency, Chief E. N. Wike, CON, GSSRS POS AFRICA, the Governor of Rivers State for his decisive actions geared towards taming the illicit activities of the operation of illegal refineries in the State.
The unwholesome activities of these illegal refineries have led to the hydra-headed monster of black soots in Rivers State and the concomitant negative impact on the environment and health of residents.
It would be recalled that professional geeks had converged to brainstorm on the topic: ‘The Menace of Soots in Rivers State: From Rhetorics to Action’ in one of the seminars during the Branch Annual Law Week held from December 4-9, 2021.
We are pleased that the gathering has yielded the desired results as evidenced by the Governor’s onslaught on operators of illegal refineries that has occasioned the rolling billows of the malignant black soots and concomitant environmental hazards.
We commend the Rivers State Governor for the bold steps taken against operators of illegal refineries and pledge our support to the Governor while respectfully urging His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State to sustain the fight until the battle is won.
