Rivers Seeks Partnership To End Black Soot, Fire Outbreaks

Rivers State Government has called for the collaboration of residents and security agencies to end black soot, fire outbreaks and environmental pollution caused by the activities of illegal refiners of crude.

Information and Communications Commissioner Paulinus Nsirim spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt during the presentation of prizes to winners of the ministry’s #OurStateOurResponsibility theme song competition.

He urged the media to engage in an aggressive public campaign against illegal refineries.

Pastor Nsirim expressed concern about the activities of illegal refiners of crude oil, saying they had caused fire outbreaks and pollution of the atmosphere through the emission of black soot.

He said: “Hardly any day passes that you will not get reports of incidence of fire outbreaks. Investigations have shown that most of these fire incidents are a result of stockpiling of adulterated petroleum products.

“The government cannot stop this trend without the cooperation of the citizens and law enforcement agencies. We are appealing that we need to do something that as we enter into the new year, let us have a collective resolve as a people to ensure that our environment is not polluted anymore.

“It should concern everyone. Apart from the fire hazards that we are experiencing, the health implication of what we are seeing in Port Harcourt today is something that should worry anyone living and doing business in Rivers State.”

Nsirim condemned the activities of security personnel, who were fond of collecting gratification from operators of illegal petroleum product businesses to allow them free passage on the roads.

“We cannot be our own enemies. We must collectively fight this syndrome. The hazard we are facing is becoming worrisome. If you live and do business here in Rivers State, this ‘kpofire’ (illegal refinery) syndrome should concern you and I think the time has come for us to stop this menace,” he said.

The commissioner said the idea behind the second phase of the #OurStateOurResponsibility advocacy campaign was to mobilise cross spectrum of the Rivers society to be part of the new Rivers vision.

He noted that governance would not be complete if citizens did not play an active role in the developmental process.

“It is a vision that will engineer our collective understanding that Rivers State belongs to all of us. Whether you are an indigene or not, as long as you live and do business here, Rivers State belongs to you,” he said.

He said the theme song competition awards ceremony coming after the essay competition was a milestone in the quest to strengthen citizens’ participation in governance in Rivers State.

Nsirim congratulated the three persons, who emerged first, second and third, while he announced the first position winner, Mr. Barnabas Baridam, as the ambassador of the ministry and the face of #OurStateOurResponsibility campaign.

He commended the three-man panel of judges who rendered a diligent service without asking for professional fees.

The first winner, Mr. Barnabas Baridam, thanked the commissioner for organising the programme that gave him a platform to showcase his talent. He promised to represent the ministry and the government positively as its ambassador.

Cash prizes of N300,000, N150,000 and N100,000 were given to the first, second and third winners.

– The Nation