Yenagoa—Some residents of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, have taken to Facebook to register their displeasure and concerns following the resurgence of black soot in some parts of the city.
Nengi James, Vice President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization in Bayelsa State called on relevant authorities in the state to nip the menace in the bud.
His words, “Soot (black smoke) takes over Bayelsa State capital. What is really happening? Authorities concerned must do something. Escapees from sister state are now operating with impunity.”
On his part, a journalist in the state, Oyins Egrenbido, complained that “life expectancy in the Niger Delta is now 41 years, continue with the kpofire, na all of us dey breath the air.” (sic)
“Sooty atmosphere became noticeable this morning in Yenagoa upon the heavy wind accompanied with rainfall of yesterday.
“It means that the illegal and crude refining of petroleum products popularly called ‘kpofire’ may still be going on in some areas in the state,” Benjamin S. Ogbara, a legal practitioner and resident in the state lamented.
Mangrovepen.ng recalls that the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment had issued a statement on January 18, 2022, warning individuals involved in illegal bunkering to desist from the act or be ready to face the consequences of their actions.
The government stated that it would not only destroy the equipment of perpetrators and their sponsors if caught but will bring such persons to book in accordance with the law not minding age, gender or class.
