An illegal crude oil tapping point capable of loading two tankers of 33,000 litres has been discovered by youths of Uedeme community in Tai local government area of Rivers State.
The Executive Director, Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Fyneface Dumnamene who made this known in a statement Today, said the youths are working as pipeline surveillance contractors in the area.
He said the tap was discovered on the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.
He called on the Federal Government to provide alternative livelihood opportunities for artisanal crude oil refiners in the Niger Delta through modular refineries.
“Sometime last week I was invited as an environmentalist to come and observe what was discovered. In fact, the people that discovered this point and from what they told me are the youths who are working as pipeline surveillance contractors in the area,” he said.