The House of Representatives on Tuesday commenced investigation into activities of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta. 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. He said that while setting up the committee, the house had noted that communities in the region routinely suffered from the effects of indiscriminate burning and destruction of equipment seized from illegal refineries.

Credit: Vanguard