Governor Alex Otti of Abia has emphasised the importance of cracking down on oil theft and illegal refinery operations in the state.

Mr Otti spoke on Friday when he received the Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta on a familiarisation visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.

The governor also urged the task force to intensify efforts in the fight against oil theft and illegal operation of refineries.

He said enforcing such measures would help protect the state’s resources and foster economic stability.

Mr Otti expressed displeasure over illegal refineries in the state and warned that perpetrators of such activities would face legal repercussions.

He urged the task force to treat operators of illegal refineries as enemies of the state.

“Those that operate illegal refineries and other activities are the enemies of the state and should be treated as such.

“Whether they are in Aba or in Ukwa or Port Harcourt or Bayelsa or any of the other 10 states where you operate, the long arms of the government must be made to catch up with them,” Mr Otti said.

He also called on the task force to work to secure the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park (AIIP) at Owaza in the Ukwa West Local Government Area.

Mr Otti said the state government would support the task force in logistics and intelligence sharing to make its assignment easier.

Earlier, the task force commander, Rear Admiral John Okeke, said the team was in Abia to familiarise with the state as one of their areas of operations in the fight against oil theft and illegal activities within the oil-bearing states.

Mr Okeke said part of their mandate was focused on curbing illegal activities in the oil and gas sector in Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Anambra, Delta, and Edo.

“The Federal Government thought it wise to come up with Joint Taskforce South South Operation Delta Safe with a mandate to protect oil and gas infrastructure and stem security challenges in the Niger Delta.

The task force also has the mandate to stop militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other forms of militancy that could negatively impact the economic activities, with emphasis on the oil and gas sector,” he said.

Mr Okeke expressed the willingness of the task force to collaborate with the government to curb illicit activities within their areas of operation.

He appealed to the government for logistics support to enable the task force to achieve its mandate. 

(NAN)