EFCC plans to set up chemical laboratory to combat illegal oil bunkering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has concluded plans to establish a fully-integrated chemical laboratory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to combat illegal oil bunkering in the zone.

Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the Commission, Aliyu Naibi, disclosed this on Tuesday, while playing host to the executives of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, System 2E Eastern zone, who paid him a courtesy visit.

According to a statement issued by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, Naibi said the issue of illegal oil bunkering was rampant in the Niger Delta region, adding that the EFCC had been relying on the Department of Petroleum Resources for product analysis, in the investigation of such cases.

The commission, he said, is setting up a chemical laboratory to that effect to reduce the time of waiting for product analysis and improve on the investigation of cases of illegal oil bunkering,.

“I want to use this opportunity to inform you of the establishment of a Laboratory in the Port Harcourt’s Zone. With the Laboratory in place, the waiting time for report of product analysis will be reduced and the investigation of cases of illegal oil bunkering will gain more speed,” the statement titled, ‘EFCC floats chemical laboratory,’ the statement read.

He disclosed the efforts of the EFCC in boosting the economy, adding that the “EFCC is working tirelessly to provide enabling environment for businesses. We are committed to support the genuine business aspiration of every Nigerian.’’

Earlier, PERTOAN’s Zonal Chairman, Prince Sunny Nkpe lauded the EFCC in its synergy and support for his association, “especially the intervention of the commission in ensuring that our members illegally arrested by the Joint Task Force were released”.

According to him, PETROAN was worried about illegal refining, bunkering and adulteration of petroleum products in Rivers State and had taken practical steps to ensure quality control of products.

“If there are issues of product adulteration, we will trace such a product to where it was loaded. Movements of trucks and drivers are now being tackled through our Quality Control Unit”, he said.

Nkpe pledged the support of PETROAN for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery stressing that, “if we have local production, foreign exchange fluctuation will be handled.”