The Executive Chairman of the Degema Local Government Area in Bayelsa, Michael John Williams, on Sunday set ablaze some artisanal refining plants, popularly known as kpofire, at Oruama-Kiri in Bille Kingdom as part of the fight against illicit oil bunkering activities in the area.
The Council Chairman, who led the raid in company of some Community members, including chiefs and youths of Bille, as well as a detachment of security operatives, declared zero tolerance to the illicit act in the LGA.
He warned that the government would no longer be silent and watch while some obstinate individuals commit crimes against the state and mankind in general, such as economic sabotage and the manufacturing of lethal soot, which poses a serious health threat to the people of Rivers State and beyond.
The Council Boss, who had earlier paid a visit to HRH King Igbikingeri Ngowari Cornelius Herbert, Agbaniye-Jike XVIII, the Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom, praised the Monarch and people of Bille for swiftly taking action in sensitizing their people against illegal activity in accordance with the directive issued to them at the end of the stakeholders meeting between the Council administration and traditional rulers in the LGA on Tuesday.
The Monarch stated that following the directive given to the traditional rulers, as custodians of their Communities, the people of Bille had already started sensitizing their people and urging whosoever that is involved to stop immediately, as it was not only an economic sabotage against the government, but also very hazardous to people living and doing business within the area.
The traditional ruler also announced that the community will soon organize an Anti-Kpofire Surveillance Committee, directed by Councilor Elvis Osima Pretoru Gogo (Ward 16), whose purpose would be to explore the area on a regular basis and report results to government.
The royal father renewed his earlier call for the government to reconsider the concept of modular refineries as a solution to the disease, arguing that building them would not only eliminate the problem permanently, but also offer job for the region’s teeming unemployed youths.
Principal officers of Degema Council, chiefs representing the Bille Council of Chiefs, youths and members of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Bille Clan, and a joint team of Security operatives joined the Council Chairman on the raid.
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