By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) is urging individuals involved in artisanal refining, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries, and the resulting environmental pollution in the Niger Delta region to cease such activities temporarily.
This call comes in light of the federal government’s decision to legalize and integrate artisanal refinery activities into the mainstream crude oil refining operations in the country.
Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the Facilitator of YEAC-Nigeria, made this call in response to the recent decision by the federal government to legalize artisanal refining.
This move was initiated through the inauguration of the Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative (PACORDI), led by Gabriel Aduda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The PACORDI Initiative aims to modify, modernize, legalize, and integrate artisanal refineries into the national economy. It follows extensive discussions involving various stakeholders and organizations, including YEAC-Nigeria, regarding the establishment of modular refineries in the Niger Delta region.
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In response to these developments, Fyneface issued a press statement in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, where he commended the Federal Government for taking steps to implement the PACORDI Initiative.
“The latest action taken by the Federal Government, following the Committee’s inauguration on August 16, is the result of continuous engagement by YEAC-Nigeria and other stakeholders,” the statement noted.
“YEAC-Nigeria commends and appreciates President Bola Tinubu, GCRF, for directing the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to review and chart the way forward for legalizing and integrating artisanal refineries into mainstream crude oil refining operations. This aligns with the vision of PACORDI by YEAC-Nigeria,” the statement continued.
YEAC-Nigeria seizes this opportunity to call upon artisanal refiners in the Niger Delta region to refrain from pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refining, and the associated environmental pollution.
This request is made in anticipation of the eventual legalization and integration of artisanal refinery activities into mainstream crude oil refining operations.
Fyneface also expressed his congratulations to the various stakeholders involved in this initiative and extended his gratitude to all those who diligently worked to bring the initiative to fruition.
