Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has charged the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to collaborate with the other Security Agencies, Council Chairmen and Traditional Rulers to fish out all those involved in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining for prosecution.
He gave the charge at the Nigeria Police, Rivers State Command dinner and award night that held at the Police Officers Mess, Old Government Residential Area, Port Harcourt on Friday.
The governor accused persons engaged in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining for the black soot environmental menace that is endangering the health of residents of the State.
Wike, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Emeka Woke, declared that the State government has resolved to tackle those involved in crude oil theft and refining once and for all.
He stated that the state government is willing to provide the police and other security agencies all that is required to dislodge and end the activities of artisanal refiners in Rivers State.
He also said policing in Rivers State has improved remarkably because the management of the Nigeria Police Force at the Force Headquarters and the State Command respectively distanced themselves from politics.
“As a state, we will continue to support the security agencies in the State. Our support for security agencies is not only centered on Police force. We are also extending similar gesture to the Navy, Air force and others,” he said.
“For us, we believe the primary function of any responsible government is to protect life and property. So, we have no option than to continue to support in providing logistics and everything that can make the security agencies in the State to function very well,” he added.
