They have been known as illegal refiners of crude oil, but now, some Niger Delta locals in Rivers State have commended government’s plan to establish modular refineries in Nigeria.
And they’re suggesting steps government needs to take for this to happen.
During the visit on February the 13th this year, Vice President, Professor Osibanjo had disclosed government’s plan to establish modular refineries in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
He said it is to reduce the burden on full-scale refineries, increase local refining capacity, improve supply and eventually bring to an end the importation of petroleum products.
According to the Vice President, those already involved in the illegal refining of petroleum products are expected to play a prominent role in achieving this.
Organizers at a modular refineries sensitization seminar in the state want government to commence in the shortest possible time the stock-taking of the actual number of illegal oil refining points in Rivers State, their locations and number of those involved.
They are confident that these statistics would guide policy makers in their efforts to actualizing government’s laudable dream of modular refineries.