Illegal Oil Bunkering Kills Nine In Bayelsa

At least nine persons have been killed at different places in Bayelsa state in the fresh wake of illegal bunkering and burgeoning illegal refinery activities the along the waterways and creeks in the state.
Specifically, the deaths occurred at the Southern Ijaw Local Government Council area of the State, where its chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe has confirmed the deaths.

At least nine persons have been killed at different places in Bayelsa state in the fresh wake of illegal bunkering and burgeoning illegal refinery activities the along the waterways and creeks in the state.
Specifically, the deaths occurred at the Southern Ijaw Local Government Council area of the State, where its chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe has confirmed the deaths.
Orunimighe, who is also the chairman of Bayelsa State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) told journalist yesterday that, although past security operations of the council chairmen with the men of the Joint Task Force have failed to stem the criminal tide, the rising spread of the illegal operation of the bunkerers have led to pollution of the waterways and creek as well as outbreak of diseases and deaths in some communities in the state.
He confirmed that there is an upsurge of illegal bunkering and that the nine persons who lost their lives were from four communities in his council area.
According to him, five of the casualties were from Opuama, two from Emede, one from Enewari and also one from Igbomatoru.
“They allegedly died from complications and diseases associated with the consumption of the polluted waters along the creeks and waterways of the council area,” he said.
Pleading for assistance, the chairman stated that: “my council area cannot do it alone. The problem is hydra headed. The business of illegal bunkering in the area is so large; you will see crude oil along the river and creek. Local government does not have the resources. If we tackle it, we may not pay salary.”
“In the last six months, we have spent so much in providing logistics to the JTF and no result. A new partnership should be initiated with oil companies, NDDC, and others to stem the tide. We have done our part and providing Bore holes to Ten out of the 17 communities in the Southern Ijaw area,” he added.
He also disclosed that the seriousness of the activities of these undesirable elements is what informed the decision of the state governor, Seriake Dickson to constitute a special committee to assist in the fight against illegal bunkering.
The state ALGON chairman also lamented that  the local government councils in the state  have become burdened by the financial implication of the fight against illegal bunkering and are asking the Federal Government to assist in the tasks of arresting the situation.