The House of Representatives has mandated its committees on Petroleum Resources Upstream and Downstream to review the existing licenses granted for modular refineries, in Nigeria.
This was contained in a motion under matters of urgent public importance on the urgent need to curb the activities of illegal crude oil refineries in the Niger Delta region to end the soot currently experienced in the region.
Presenting the motion unanimously adopted, Mr.Idem Uyinme noted that the activities of the illegal oil refineries have contributed to the soot which is highly toxic to the health of those in the region.
“The Niger Delta Region of the Country has over the years been plagued by the activities of illegal oil refineries at the detriment of the lives of residents and the economy of the country.
These activities have compounded the age-long problem of environmental pollution and degradation caused by the seismic and exploration activities of the multinational oil companies operating in Niger Delta; contributing to the dramatic changes in the weather pattern being experienced in the region,” Mr, Uyinme added.
While decrying that some of the licenses granted are not being utilized, the House believed that reviewing the existing licenses would allow for the revocation of non-functioning ones and granting new licenses to deserving modular refineries.
Confidence Okwuchi
