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Worried over the devastating impact on aquatic lives and the environment, nine communities of Kula Kingdom in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State have vowed to put an end to illegal oil bunkering and other such vices that constitute economic sabotage in the area.
Kula Kingdom, a coastal community surrounded by the St. Bathelomeo and Santababra Rivers is rich in oil minerals and untapped tourism potentials.
The Robert Kiri Flow Station – OML 55, Idama Flow Station – OML 55, and the Belema Flow Station – OML 25 are all located in the area.
The commitment to end illegal oil bunkering, chemical fishing and other economic sabotage came on the heels of a zero oil bunkering and crude oil theft sensitization campaign embarked upon in the area by the president of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo.
Recently, three persons died in a boat accident while allegedly engaging on illegal bunkering activities in OML 25 in Kula.
Unconfirmed reports allegedly named the three to include Sopakiriba Igbikis, Alex George and Richard Micah.
Kula Youth President, Emine Ariyitamunoprim and other community leaders of the area, in a chat with our correspondent, said oil bunkering activities had endangered the lives of members of the communities and brought them untold hardship, adding that fishermen and women are no longer able to catch fish and other sea foods.
Some members of the communities called on government to provide basic amenities, while identifying poverty and lack of basic infrastructure as the root causes of pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and other vices in the area.
President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo said the sensitization campaign became necessary due to the associated risks and the negative impact on the nation’s economy occasioned by oil bunkering activities and chemical fishing.
He pledged to partner relevant security agencies to forestall further economic sabotage.
Sukubo Sara-Igbe also assured the people of the area that he will channel their concerns for provision of basic infrastructure and human capital development to the Federal Government, adding that he was confident of the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Our correspondent reports that some of the communities visited include Kula, Belema, Oluama, Agudama, Robert-Kiri also known as Bush Bar, Kalamasiri, Offogboko, and Uwangaye communities.
