Reps investigate ''illegal'' refineries destruction

The House of Representatives on Tuesday commenced investigation into activities of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the house is investigating alleged burning and destruction of equipment seized from illegal refinery operators in the area by the task force.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja on the investigation, Mr Sule Garo (Kano-APC), Chairman, Ad hoc Committee on Illegal Refineries, said that the house was worried about the environment in the area.

Garo explained that the intentions of the house was to bring an end to the despoliation of the Niger Delta environment through burning of equipment confiscated from illegal operators of refineries.

He said that the JTF, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and affected communities had been invited to testify.

"Others invited to give insight before the committee include Federal Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment on steps they are taking to forestall further despoliation of the Niger Delta environment," he said.

According to Garo, these acts of the task force are usually done without recourse to international best practices.

"The action of the JTF has greatly polluted the environment and waters in the area and in the process destroyed farm lands and killed fishes, thereby jeopardizing farming and fishing, which are the mainstay of Niger Delta people," he said.