A lawmaker from the House of Representatives, Hon Kingsley Uju-Chima, has called for the legalization, and reintegration of artisanal refineries into the country’s refining regulations of the oil and gas industry.
Uju-Chima who is also the member representing Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru Federal Constituency, where the illegal oil refinery blast killed over 112 victims last Friday, said the proposed artisanal refinery was a possible permanent solution to the menace associated with illegal oil bunkering.
The lawmaker made the call on Tuesday while inspecting the site where the blast took place. He said: “It is a national disaster which has put the entire community, local government area and constituency into a mourning mood. No amount of words will compensate for the situation I have seen here today.
“We have had a lot of bills and motions at the National Assembly in the past and I have seen reason why we should take this more serious. I have seen reason why as Nigerians and people of oil producing areas, we should have collaborative efforts to curb this menace of oil bunkering.
“Sometime ago, I proposed artisanal refinery as a possible permanent solution to this menace. I know in the western world, they have grade A, grade B and grade C fuel, so if this illegal business could continue unabated despite security agents within this place, then we will try to see from the legislative sector whether we can have depots and artisanal refineries to put permanent stop to this menace,” he added.
Uju-Chima therefore called for a stakeholder dialogue on the issued, whereby oil firms’ executives, community and religious leaders, youths and other concerned organisations will discuss the way forward.
“I am really pained and do not know why our people should be killed in this form because this is not our traditional means of livelihood. We have always survived through farming and fishing,” he added.
The lawmaker, who later addressed some women from the area, urged them to help re-orientate the mindset of the youth against dependence on illegal oil bunkering.
“I know that with adequate empowerment and encouragement in genuine oil and gas businesses and MSMEs, no youth will want to live in the bush for survival,” he told them.
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