Illegal Refineries, Oil Thieves Responsible For Black Soot – NSCDC

By Ogbolu George with agency report

The black carbon emissions witnessed in some parts of Rivers State, has been blamed on activities of illegal refineries and oil thieves.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) through its spokesman, Micheal Ogunta.

Residents of Port-Harcourt and its environs have been complaining of the presence of black soot in the atmosphere.

This led to the closure of three Chinese companies- H & H Engineering Company, AUC Asphalt Company and CGC- by the Rivers State Government for alleged aggravation of air pollution and breach of environmental laws.

Micheal Ogunta, who said the activities of the oil thieves and illegal refineries had reached an alarming rate in the state, was responding to comments in some quarters that the black carbon emissions were due to the burning of illegal refining sites and its products by the NSCDC.

”These people use very crude and environmentally unfriendly methods to refine petrol; so, when we apprehend them, we destroy both their equipment and the product.

”Their activities contribute to the unhealthy carbon emissions being witnessed in some parts of the state; this is just the truth,” he said.

Ogunta also called on residents of the state to always report cases of illegal refineries and oil theft to the corps for immediate action.