By ERIC MOORE
THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC ), has discovered a dump site, with over 70 drums used in illegal petroleum products in Rivers State.
This was disclosed by the newly deployed State Commandant of the NSCDC, Joachin Okafor, in Port Harcourt, on Monday, where he read the riot act to those dealing illegally in petroleum products in the state.
Commandant Okafor, while delivering his inaugural address, called on all officers and men to join the wagon of positive change by increasing their intelligence skills in order to gather credible information that would enhance the arrests of vandals and illegal bunkerers in the State.
The new command helmsman also conducted the media across an illegal dump site at Igbo-Etche in Etche Local Government Area, where crude oil were stored in over 70 tanks at an abandoned construction site.
He hinted that Rivers State will no more be a safe place for those stealing and refining petroleum products illegally, noting that the fight against illegal dealings in petroleum products and the overall protection of the nation’s critical national assets and infrastructure would be given utmost priority under his watch.
Okafor said: “You are all aware that the nation is loosing a lot and the economy is being sabotaged because of the unscrupulous activities of crude oil thieves; our environment are also being polluted and degraded; the Rivers NSCDC is awaken to its responsibilities and my administration has zero tolerance for vandalism of pipelines and illegal bunkering.
“I advise them to relocate or better undertake a legitimate business because this Rivers State will not contain us; we have started and we will not relent in the fight even as we collaborate with the government, our sister security agencies, community youths and traditional leaders among others. All hands must be on deck.”
The state commandant further said the anti-vandal squad also impounded seven drums of Automotive Gas Oil and a truck laden with suspected adulterated petroleum products at Obio/Akpor Local Government and Elelenwo in Eleme Area of Rivers State respectively.
He relayed that a thorough investigation would be carried out and the command would proceed to court of competent jurisdiction to determine the fate of the suspects and the impounded products.
The state commandant appreciated the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his continuous support and further pleaded for more, especially in terms of operational vehicles, as the local government election approaches.
He thanked the Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for the privilege to serve as the 15th substantive Commandant of Rivers State.