At last after several years of attacks and counter attacks
between Niger Delta ‘oil thieves’ the boys have come out to state clearly what
they want.
During a press interview with Sky News, the boys narrated
how they are desperately fight to be recognised as legitimate and bring a
lasting solution to the grave environmental pollution their activities are
causing the volatile region.
According to Sky News, one of the Niger Delta kingpin
operating in the creeks identified as Emo, stated how about 2,000 people of the
region are being employed by him: "There are no jobs. We have nothing to
do. You understand?
"That is why we are seeking help. We are begging for
the government to assist us. You understand? We know what we're doing is wrong
but we have no option."
During the press coverage with Sky, Emo admitted to the
reporters that, it is not he was not aware of the effect their activities have
on oil prices globally and locally, however, him and his workers feel the only
alternative to survive is to steal oil.
"We are desperate," he said. "We have no jobs
and no future."
Emo travels to different places with heavily armed guards to
protect him from his enemies and other oil thieves.
Also the journalists were taken to one of Emo’s camps in
Rivers State via speedboat, which is about 19 miles from Port Harcourt.
This area is lawless and kidnapping is rife.
Though Sky News crew went with their own security guards,
Emo still went on to assure them all of his own personal guards who are hidden
all over the mangrove swamps as they watch them arrive.
"They know me. They will not attack us," he said.
The only Nigerian navy boat, which is patrolling the
waterways long before they reach Emo's illegal refinery, stopped them and
demanded them to hand over all their fuel to them.
Despite a well-vaunted military campaign to put a stop to
the illegal activities here, corruption is apparent and part of the problem.
“As we approach the illegal refineries, we see a plume of
smoke indicating others are burning the crude.”
“Many of the thieves have stopped daytime burning to avoid
being attacked by the Nigerian military.”
However, the government-authorised crackdown does not stop
the stealing. It only sets them back for a short time.
"We have been attacked," Emo said. "It causes
a lot of oil spillage and then we just start up again."
His audacity is quite astounding, so much that, he was asked
by a member of the crew repeatedly about him being so outspoken about his
illegal work and he replies: "I don't care. What can they do to me?
"I want to become legal. I want the government to say
we can be legal and do this legally."
The damage to the area is extensive with oil everywhere,
coating the mangrove swamps, all over the water and washing much further down
the Delta polluting water supplies for thousands of others downstream.
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