Attempts by the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to identify and shut all the illegal oil refineries in local communities of the state have unsettled many in the after areas, leading stakeholders in the affected communities to warn that thousands of youths could be rendered jobless and subsequently threaten the peace and security of the state. It was learned that on average, each of these illegal refineries, which the state governor has asked local government chairmen to identify, employ 30 people and ‘cook’ up to 150 drums of Petroleum Motor Spirit. This translates to about N5 million daily. In one local government alone, more than 100 illegal refineries have been discovered and, in another, there were at least 35, potentially affecting the livelihoods of thousands of young people. An illegal refinery operator, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend on the condition of anonymity, said the […]