Illegal Refinery: We’re afraid of those operating it- Ugbodede indigenes

The people of Ugbodede Community in Warri South Local Government Area, say they are afraid of those who tapped the NPDC oil well in the community coastline and operated illegal refinery in the area, blaming the NPDC for not doing enough to secure the well head.

Chairman of Ugbodede Community Trust, Mr. William Cheke made the declaration Friday June 22 at Ugbodede Civic Centre, Ugbodede, when the Commander Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu and key political leaders of Warri South Local Government Council visited the community to engage them on ways of stopping the operation of illegal refinery in the Warri South community.

While stating that those operating the illegal refinery are strangers, Mr. Cheke commended the Nigerian Navy for not apprehending innocent people and tasked the management of NPDC to engage indigenes of the community so as to enhance their economic life.

The Commander NNS Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu noted earlier that the Command had carried out operations against the illegal refinery and decided to change its mode of operation by involving the Warri South Local Government Council and directly engaging people of Ugbodede Community.

While noting the negative implication of the operation of the illegal refinery on the aquatic and health life of Ugbodede indigenes, Commodore Dewu revealed that perpetrators of the sabotage connected illegal pipes to the well head, which has large quantity of crude oil.

The NPDC Oil Well at Ugbodede

The Vice Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Mrs. Divine Iniovosa who was flanked by Leader of Warri South Council Legislative Arm, Hon. Kingsley Edafiajebre, Secretary to the Local Government, Mr. Joseph Oribioye, admonished operators of the illegal refinery to desist forthwith and tasked people of Ugbodede to do everything within their means to halt the illegality.

A stretch of one of the pipes along the creek used by the illegal refinery operators

The Pipeline used by the illegal refinery operators at the creekshore to syphon crude oil from the Oil Well

Fresh Angle International can also report that the lawmaker representing Orugbo Ward in Warri South Council Legislative Arm, Hon. Misan Fombo also cautioned Ugbodede people to guide against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, so as not to make the security agencies clampdown on the community.

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