The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has identified Divisional Police Officer operating an illegal refinery and thus issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas to expose all illegal refineries and their operators within their jurisdiction or resign.
Wike revealed that the Divisional Police Officer in the Emohua Local Government Area operated an illegal refinery in the area until he was transferred by the Force.
The governor gave the chairmen the ultimatum on Friday during a meeting with the council chairmen and heads of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police, the Directorate of State Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at the Government House.
Wike challenged the council chairmen to prove they were not complicit in the corrupt ventures that had persistently threatened the health of Rivers people and the national economy.
“Now, every council chairman must go and identify where illegal refineries are taking place. If you identify one, you get N2million. So, go and identify as many as you can.
“I will pay N2million for each one. And I am going to fight against this. Our people are dying and we owe our people the responsibility to protect them, to save them from death they never caused.
“So, you must, and you’re given 48 hours to go and identify all illegal refineries sites, and those who are in charge of them.” Wike said.
“It’s unfortunate for this country how security people will be involved in illegal bunkering. I can’t believe it. Mr. CP, I thank you for transferring the DPO in Rumuji, who owns a refinery. But the man must leave here, not transferred. He must leave this state.
“I can’t be governor here and security man owns an illegal refinery. No, it is not possible…the man has to go. Take him to wherever they allow bunkering,” Wike stated.
The governor further urged Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State command, to immediately transfer its personnel in charge of vandalisation of pipelines in the state.