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An engineer and managing director of Ramec Group of Companies, Engr. (Chief) Grant Offor, has lauded the fight against artisanal oil refinery operators in Rivers State by the governor, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike.
Offor made this known while speaking with newsmen at his office in Port Harcourt.
He praised the governor’s will power and courage to fight the illegal oil refinery operators, especially given the soot and pollution of the environment caused by the refiners, but noted that these illegal refineries are not the only cause of the environmental devastation in the state.
Offor insisted that other harmful practices were also responsible for polluting the environment, and causing soot all over the state.
He however stressed that artisanal oil refinery operators are the major players in polluting the environment with soot, thereby causing health hazards to a lot of innocent citizens in the state.
According to him, the fight against illegal oil bunkering activities in the state can never be too late, because of the damaging health effects it has on human beings, noting that it is better late than never;
He further lauded the governor for involving the local council chairmen as partners in the fight against the these illegal oil refinery activities in the state, adding that since they (councils) are in touch with the people at the grassroots, hence are better positioned to arrest these nefarious activities faster.
“The long time effect of soot in our environment is very catastrophic if not arrested now. Soot is carbon-monoxide and dangerous to health; it easily penetrates into the body via inhalation, eyes and skin and over time, could cause heart-related diseases and cancer.
“The operators of these illegal refineries are probably ignorant of its health hazard to themselves and people around them. So I suggest the state government could embark on adequate publicity to create awareness.
“Nowadays, if you visit any hospital within the state, you notice that a lot of young women are having miscarriages, while men are suffering from bronchitis and heart-related diseases. All these are concomitant effects of massive inhalation of soot unknown to some of them, especially in the rural areas.
“The operators are not free from these diseases. So what is the point making a lot of money and at long run, it is used for health treatment.
“Recently, a friend of mine, took his mother to the United States of America (USA) for proper treatment. While there, the doctor diagnosed her and discovered that her heart and lungs were filled with black related smoky particles and asked if she has been a heavy smoker, which the woman replied in negative. But after investigation, it was discovered that she had probably inhaled a lot of soot particles unknown to her.
“Therefore to tackle these bunkering activities in the state and achieve relative permanent result, I suggest that the state government should involve the military particularly the Airforce.
“The Airforce could use their jets to carry out surveillance to locate the various illegal bunkering sites and follow it up with nonstop and continuous bombardment. With this; the operators would abandon the business and go in for legitimate business,” he said.
