The scenery should have been beautiful. It used to be beautiful. It used to be nature, a beach, a shore, water just met the land. There were fishes, fishermen, a market for the fishes. But not anymore.
The underground petroleum industry otherwise known as bunkering has taken over. The entire value chain of the industry is all there is now. From the local refineries in the bush, to the transporters, the distributors, the entire operation. Black stains of diesel smeared the entire physical environment, the roads, the shores, the sand was blackish. The air was toxic, you could perceive the corrosion. Mind you, I didn't visit to write about this or to see how bunkering works or it's effects on the environment and its inhabitants. I just went to enjoy nature, but met this rather.
I had before now been an advocate for these men and women in the bush. I had advocated a more humane and diplomatic approach by the government in dealing with them. I haven't been on the side of the people burning these 'illegal' refineries. I've always felt there was something positive, something developmental about the entire situation, a silver linen, it couldn't just be all bad. I am no longer sure of this position after my first hand experience today.
Notice the drums in the water in the video? They're filled with refined products, and were just transported by boat from the bush where they were refined. The men exchange the filled drums with empty ones and go back for some more. I couldn't get a good shot as I was conscious not to alert any of the guys.
A post environmental impact assessment would reveal the amount of damage the environment have suffered in the short time these operations have flourished. Who is wrong? Who is right? What should be done? What is the way forward? Is there a sustainable solution to all these? What can you and I do? You be the judge. I'd be back with more. - Epicrich
via Loud Naija Media
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