And it was sited just 2 kilometres from Rivers
State Government House.
Here are the details
The army yesterday made a shocking discovery –
Nigeria’s biggest illegal bunkering site near the Nigerian Ports Authority
(NPA) and two kilometres from the Rivers state Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Commander of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army,
Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, told reporters yesterday in Port
Harcourt that the discovery followed a tip-off. Thousands of litres of
illegally refined diesel was discovered at the site.
Soldiers were immediately deployed in the Makoba
Beach area.
The Commander said:
“About 16:40 hours on Monday, we got information that some
illegal bunkering activities were going on along Makoba Beach.
“On arrival, our personnel discovered illegal
activities, which involved bunkering (of illegally refined petroleum products)
and lifting of diesel to local boats.
“At the site, we found over 5,000 drums loaded
with illegally refined diesel, four tanker trucks containing 132,000 litres of
diesel combined and a badge with 165,000 litres of stolen diesel.
“This discovery is unprecedented, because since
we started our operations 10 days ago, this is about the biggest that we have
uncovered.”
Gen. Olabanji added that additional 150 drums
loaded with about 3,150 litres of diesel were also discovered in 21 Cotonou
boats in the area.
He said 13 suspects were arrested at the scene of
the illegal activity.
The commander stressed that the illegal bunkering
dump was yet to be set ablaze, in line with the Joint Task Force’s (JTF’s)
mandate, in view of its proximity to residential buildings and the NPA.
Olabanji said: “Our mandate requires us to
destroy the site in situ, but we cannot do this because it will
degrade the environment and affect residents, as it is situated in the heart of
Port Harcourt.
“Our plan is to move them to a safe location for
destruction. Preliminary investigation has already begun to unravel the
sponsors of the facility. The 13 suspects will be handed over to relevant
authorities for further investigation and prosecution.”
The commander also warned against sabotage of oil
and gas installations by thieves. He said the JTF would not rest, until the
state is free of illegal bunkering.
His words: “Let it be known that the army will
not and will never tolerate illegal bunkering in our area of responsibility.”
Gen. Olabanji also called on the public to
provide the JTF with information which could lead to the arrest of oil thieves
and pipeline vandals.
thenation
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