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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Nigeria Oil Air Pollution (TV)
HEADLINE: Nigeria Targets Illegal Oil Refining, Soot Pollution
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 1/20/2022 at 8am
BYLINE: Timothy Obiezu
DATELINE: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
VIDEOGRAPHER: Emeka Gibson
VIDEO EDITOR: Barry Unger
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, BR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 03:11
VID APPROVED BY: Salem Solomon
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: There is an accompanying radio piece.))
(INTRO))
[[In Nigeria’s oil producing regions, authorities are blaming illegal oil refiners for air pollution that can cause respiratory problems. Authorities began cracking down on offenders this month, but some local residents blame authorities for not making fuel cheap enough. Timothy Obiezu reports from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.]]
((NARRATOR))
A state security patrol is tipped-off about an oil theft site somewhere in the bush.
After a bumpy one-hour ride, the oil bunkering site is found, and a suspect is arrested.
((Kelvin Prince, Oil Theft Suspect (English, 15 secs))
“I started working here three months ago. When the police people came the others ran away, but I have no money with me to go back home. I was trying to raise some money.”
((NARRATOR))
This is Ogbodo, a local community in Nigeria’s southern Rivers State.
Authorities say they have found many sites where oil is stolen and stored, a practice called oil bunkering in Nigeria. Authorities also have begun cracking down on illegal oil refining operations known locally as “Kpofire.”
It’s a local process where crude oil is burned to extract petroleum, causing residue to be released in the form of thick, black soot.
Officials say Kpofire is rampant here. This base was found ransacked and abandoned by the time officials arrived.
((Timothy Obiezu for VOA News (standup version)))
((NARRATOR)) ((non-standup version))
“This tank right here is full of crude oil. Illegal refinery operators abandoned it during a raid days ago and authorities say that the land degradation caused by this tank alone could take up to 75 years to redeem.”
((NARRATOR))
For years, Rivers State has been ranked as having some of the most polluted air in Africa.
Authorities say they intend to keep pressure on the illegal operations.
((Nwanosike Samuel, Ikwerre Local Government Chairman)) ((In English))
“We are aware that the criminals have started making their plots and plans to do whatever, but we are not perturbed, we’re equal to the task. It’s a war, we know them, we have their names, their names have been declared wanted.”
((NARRATOR))
State governor Nyesom Wike has declared 19 major illegal operators wanted and pledged to reward whistle blowers with $5,000 cash.
Nigerian lawmakers have also called for an end to black soot pollution. But some locals say the illegal operators provide cheaper oil products.
Kerosene dealer, Soso Gold, says the crackdown on illegal refineries is threatening her business.
((Soso Gold, Local Kerosene Dealer)) ((In English))
“I can’t stop this business because I make little profit to feed. My husband is late, I have no help. When I buy from them, I make some money to provide for my three children.”
((NARRATOR))
Meanwhile, Nigeria is struggling to re-open refineries shut down for more than a year to undergo rehabilitation and improve their capacities. Critics say systemic government corruption is affecting progress and Nigeria continues to rely on imports to meet the country’s energy needs.
Meanwhile, authorities say those who steal oil and illegally refine it will be charged and face jail time if convicted.
((Timothy Obiezu, for VOA Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJanuary 20, 2022 08:03 EST
BylineTimothy Obiezu
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media
