Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace
and Progress (NDYCPP), on Sunday advised the federal government to set up a
committee to identify and document local refineries operating in the region.
The group noted that establishing the
committe would be the next logical step to federal government's plan to
liberalise modular refineries as announced by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
during his recent tour.
Mr Olayinka Jude, Acting National
President of NDYCPP who gave the advise in an interview on Sunday noted that
the committee would generate a database for planning purposes.
He observed that lack of statistics on
the local refineries which operated illegally would make it difficult for
government to take decisions on the capacities of the operators and the volume
of crude they could operate.
He pledged the readiness of the youth
group to collaborate with stakeholders including security agencies to identify
existing sites for possible integration into the modular refineries proposed by
the federal government.
"Our coalition consists of
proactive, pragmatic and forward looking youth groups who are desirous of
contributing meaningfully to the socio economic growth of the society.
"We suggest government should set
up a task force comprising the Police, JTF, NNPC Officials, Oil company
officials, advocacy groups like us and other persons to go round the region
identify illegal bunkering sites.
" The sites should be cordoned off
instead of destroying them, data should be collected while any stolen crude
found should be seized.
"The impounded petroleum products
should then be re-channelled back to the government refineries for proper
refining," Jude said.
He said that operators of the artisanal
refineries should be encouraged such to form co-operatives for integration when
the modular-refineries come on stream.
"It is such persons who are in the
database of the government that would be first given the benefit to participate
before others that would meet the guidelines for participation by government.
"That way the products will not be
wasted, the environment will not be polluted, the bunkering sites are known,
those behind the bunkering sites are also known.
"While they are waiting for
government to come up with the modalities of the modular refineries, those
whose biometric have been captured should be engaged in the security network.
"They will help to check new
entrants from coming in to any illicit bunkering activities. It will be a
win-win situation for the government, for the people, for the oil companies and
for the environment," he said
No comments:
Post a Comment