In a recent breakthrough, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Gombe State Command, disclosed the discovery of an illicit refinery in the heart of the federal low-cost area. Commandant Muhammad Muazu revealed that the owner of this clandestine operation was apprehended red-handed, producing gasoline based on complaints from vigilant residents.
Situated within the bustling Gombe metropolis, this unauthorized refinery had been under surveillance for weeks, triggered by community reports of noxious odors emanating from the area. Muazu emphasized the detrimental impact on both health and the local environment, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
Applauding the NSCDC's vigilance, Abass Adamu, the acting Coordinator of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria in Gombe State, commended the joint operation. He emphasized the hazardous nature of the business, highlighting its unregistered status. Adamu noted that the State Coordinator had cut short his leave to expedite the investigation, aligning with the director-general's commitment to eliminating adulteration in both the state and the nation.
Contrary to the allegations, Abubakar Aliyu, the Managing Director of the facility, argued that the outfit was involved in pyrolysis rather than crude refining. The 44-year-old entrepreneur claimed to have established the facility after attending a workshop in Abuja, expressing ignorance about the requirement for SON registration. Aliyu contended that upon realizing the potential hazards, he took steps to relocate the operation outside the residential zone and was in the process of obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Environment.
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