On Wednesday, officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided an illegal refinery in Ogere-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State. The facility, linked to Chinese nationals, was discovered to be a well-fenced and technically sophisticated operation occupying over three hectares of land. The raid was a result of EFCC's intelligence, which exposed the illegal activities at the site.
The NMDPRA and EFCC team found underground tanks used for heating and processing sludge oil, waste products from refining, and substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel. The State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Dr. Atilola Akinyemi, stated that the facility was operating without a permit from any regulatory authority. He described the facility as "crude and completely illegal," emphasizing that it did not meet any standard for a refinery.
An underground storage facility behind the site was found to have an estimated capacity of more than 90,000 litres, with underground heating systems, water hydrants for cooling, locally fabricated tanks, and silos for separation. Dr. Akinyemi noted that the operators appeared to be technically skilled individuals who deliberately designed the facility to circumvent government regulations. He added that laboratory tests would be necessary to classify the final product.
The EFCC's Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, described the facility as an illegal refinery with a complete setup, featuring all the processes for converting sludge into diesel. He believed that the facility had been operating for years, judging by its nature. Kaltungo also mentioned that the Ogere axis had become a hub for illegal activities by foreign nationals.
Kaltungo recalled that 14 Chinese nationals were arrested a week earlier for illegal lithium processing in the same area. He stated that some of the arrested individuals had passports with expired visas, while others did not have passports at all. The EFCC director vowed to bring the operators of the illegal refinery to book.
Gbolahan Latona, Director of the Department of Proceeds of Crime Management at EFCC, condemned the activities of the illegal refinery, stating that it undermined the efforts of legitimate investors like Dangote Refinery. He emphasized that Nigerians would ultimately suffer from such sabotage. The NMDPRA officials sealed off the facility during the inspection.
The raid on the illegal refinery highlights the ongoing efforts of Nigerian authorities to curb illicit activities in the country. The collaboration between NMDPRA and EFCC demonstrates a commitment to enforcing regulations and protecting the nation's resources. The operators of the refinery will face consequences for their actions, according to the EFCC.
Key points
- The facility was operating without a permit from any regulatory authority.
- The EFCC and NMDPRA collaborated to raid the illegal refinery.
- The operators of the refinery will face consequences for their actions.
