Illegal refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta region may continue longer than anticipated due to the failure of the Federal Government to unveil solutions it earlier promised to stop the menace. The Government had said it would build modular refineries in the region in order to engage jobless youths, who resort to unruly operations and militancy activities to push out 1,000 barrels of refined petroleum products daily from each of the refineries to meet supply shortfall in Nigeria. “Strategically, modular refinery will slow down illegality. “If modular refinery has been established with the local people fully participating in it, it will reduce stealing and illegal refining; it will also reduce environmental degradation. The people in the area will have something to do.”He wants the legalisation of the illegal refineries with proper condition and regulatory framework.PNDPC’s Labiyo recalled that the region had presented a seven- point agenda on sustaining peace in the region, especially building modular refineries, which has not been considered.

Source: The Guardian January 09, 2018 04:30 UTC