Executive Director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface has called on the Federal Government to establish the Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative, PACORDI in order to fastrack the intergration of artisanal crude oil refining into the formal system, thereby reducing the illegality associated with crude oil mining.
Fyneface made the call during the inauguration and formal presentation of Bayelsa State Modular Refinery Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies to the Federal Government in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Fyneface who doubles as the National Facilitator of Project with Artisanal Crude Oil Refiners, PACOR for Modular Refineries in the Niger Delta said the setting up of a artisanal crude oil refining development initiative in the Niger Delta similar to the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative, PAGMI in some parts of the North and Western Nigeria will go along way to curb pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and environmental pollution in the region.
He noted that in line with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo’s pronouncement in 2017 on the Modular Refineries for youths involved in artisanal crude oil refining in the Niger Delta, PACOR have been carrying out sensitization and training of youths undertaking artisanal crude oil refining to stop and embrace the Federal Government policy on modular refineries.
He stated that ” YEAC is driven by the need to collectively contribute in support of government’s efforts to provide alternative livelihood opportunities for youths who are involved in artisanal crude oil refining through modular refineries as proposed by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo during his tour of the region in February, 2017.
” Over the years, we have sensitized many artisanal crude oil refiners and ex-artisanal refiners alike across the Niger Delta, we have also trained them on guidelines on establishment of modular refineries. We have created data base for artisanal crude oil Refiners and ex-artisanal refiners alike in the region through forms circulated in the communities and soft code 33811 messages from their phones.
” In 2019, we commenced the process of registering the artisanal refiners for the formation of Cooperative Societies for Modular Refineries and are pleased to note that during your inauguration of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA laboratory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State represented by the Minister of State Environment, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor you directed that artisanal crude oil refiners be registered and formed into Cooperative Societies for Modular Refinery Licences.
” On our part in complying with Mr. President’s directive, we have formed and registered the following Modular Refinery Societies in Bayelsa State : Bayelsa East Modular Refinery Mult-purpose Cooperative Society LTD, Bayelsa Central Modular Refinery Mult-Purpose Cooperative Society LTD and the Bayelsa West Modular Refinery Mult-Purpose Cooperative. These are the authentic platforms of real artisanal crude oil refiners who have stopped and embrace your policy on Modular Refineries as alternative means of livelihood in Bayelsa State.
” While thanking you for approving our recommendation for the establishment of three (3) Modular Refineries in each Niger Delta State which you have now proposed 18 Licences for Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Cross Rivers and Edo. It is our recommendation that you speed up the process and kindly consider and establish a Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative, PACORDI for artisanal crude oil refiners in the Niger Delta similar to the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative, PAGMI in parts of the North and Western Nigeria.
” We look forward to having you issue Modular Refinery Licences to these Cooperative Societies that the youths don’t cite Government unseriousness and return to the creeks to cause more damage to oil facilities and our fragile environment.
The National Facilitator of PACOR expressed his organization’s readiness to partner with government to address illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta as well as facilitate investment of international development partners in co- funding Modular Refinery projects for artisanal crude oil refiners in the region.
Also speaking, the state coordinator of the Bayelsa State Association of Modular Refinery Mult-purpose Cooperative Societies, Philip Godfrey said the inauguration and presentation of the artisanal modular refinery multi-purpose cooperative societies is in line with the Federal Government directives and called the relevent agencies to expedient action on the release of licences to the registered cooperatives.
Godfrey noted that when the licences are issued there will be dignity in artisanal refining operations and this will go a long curb pipeline vandalism and save the environment from the destructive activities of artisanal crude oil refining in the Niger Delta.
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