Presidency has said it will regulate activities of persons in illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta region. The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), Senator Ita Enang, who disclosed this during a live television interview on Monday, said the action taken so far by the Rivers State Government to eradicate illegal oil bunkering from the area was just the first step.
Enang stated that the ministries of environment and petroleum are working to ensure end of illegal oil refineries. He said: “The issue of soot that is killing the people of the Niger Delta and reducing life expectancy is the greatest challenge we have.
“The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is trying to do its best and governors in the region and the Federal Government are trying to do their best through the ministry of environment and the ministry of petroleum.
“This is the biggest of challenge that we have. We want the public to please help to get the soot question addressed, reduced, and decarbonise the region.
“The ministry is also going to take more steps. Also, my office has talked about the integration of artisanal refiners; our idea is that if you integrate them and give them a better idea on how to refine these products, we will be able to regulate their activities and all standard procedure in production will be applied to avoid the soot.”
On the delay by the Presidency to name and prosecute persons that looted the NDDC as promised by the President, Enang said the President would take action as soon as the white paper of the forensic audit is released.
