The Rivers Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said it will no longer destroy illegal refineries and petroleum products storage tanks with fire.

Lawal Haruna, the commandant of NSCDC in Rivers, said this while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt. He said that the command took the decision because of the environmental implications of burning the refineries and storage tanks.

He said that even though illegal refineries and storage tanks were usually destroyed in the process, their contents were allowed to leak out of the tanks.

The commandant, therefore, faulted the destruction method, saying that it was capable of destroying aquatic life in the affected areas.

Haruna, however, noted that oil pipeline vandalism had reduced considerably in Rivers due to the aggressive campaign against the vice and the collaborative efforts of all the security agencies in the state.

Whenever NSCDC burns illegal refineries and storage tanks, black smooth is released into the atmosphere and this could have health implications on residents.

It would be recalled that Nnanna Chinyere, director of public health, Rivers ministry of health, had advised the people against drinking rainwater on account of the presence of black sooth in the atmosphere.