Growing up in a household where the guarantee of dinner depended on the availability of kerosene was quite a hassle. Following an incident with a gas cooker, my family had no other option than to rely on kerosene stoves for cooking. This meant one had to have readily available kerosene before mom, our ‘Chef de cuisine’, wanted to make a meal.

Kerosene, a byproduct of fossil Crude Oil, has been unimaginably scarce for a while now—more than three years in my city, Port Harcourt. The product is often not found at petrol stations due to low patronage and its high price.

The deregulation of this vital product has allowed the price to increase liberally. It now hovers around ₦1,300 to ₦1,500 per liter at petrol stations across the country, which has drastically reduced patronage.

Sadly, the high price and low patronage have resulted in a gradual phasing out of stoves by many households. But families that still maintain theirs have to rely on one source for kerosene: the Black Market, aka ‘Kpo Fire’.

The Black Market is the shopping mall for illegally refined crude oil products. It serves as an alternative to the scarce government products.

Nigeria’s Refinery Saga

Inasmuch as no country can be self-sufficient as partnerships are bound to be made for the betterment and growth of sections of the state, most independent countries control their natural resources to a large extent. Nigeria, a country blessed with an abundant reserve of mineral resources and ranked to have one of the best forms of crude, depends heavily on exportation to convert these resources into usable products. It lacks sufficient operational refineries to convert the crude, and this over-dependency has led to a cycle where crude is exported, refined abroad, and then imported back at a higher cost to meet domestic demand, hence the expensiveness of these products.

The last consistent operation of the four government-owned refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt, and Warri dates back to the early 2000s. Since then, they have faced chronic underperformance or complete shutdowns, the resultant effects of maintenance issues, corruption, and mismanagement.

The Port Harcourt refinery has been central to these issues. Residents have had repeated government assurances about revamping and restoring the refinery. The last deadline set was September 2024, which they failed to meet, making it the seventh time residents have been promised production and disappointed.

These repeated disappointments have plunged Nigerians into an unending search for alternative means of survival, legal or illegal.

The Thieves, the Bush Refineries, and the Health Risks

Oil theft is a plague that has eaten deep into the Nigerian economy. Its roots date back to the early 2000s when militant groups in the Niger Delta began sabotaging pipelines as part of their campaign for economic justice.

This practice has grown into a beast fed and protected by some of the highest powers in the country, enabling it to siphon an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 barrels of crude daily, costing the country billions of dollars annually. According to Senate estimates in a report by Voice Of America, the country lost $23 million daily in 2023 and $1.43 billion in March alone of 2023.

A collaborative and coordinated effort involving at least eight key players, including Security

Agents/Military, Oil Company Personnel, Militants, and Local Residents, are involved in the oil theft operations, as detailed in a research paper by Onuoha Freedom Chukwudi, Ezirim Gerald Ekene & Enyiazu Chukwuemeka.

As far back as the 1970s, the military has had significant control over the oil industry. Key steps to achieve this grip involved the 1978 Land Use Act which vested power over all lands, minerals, and oil resources in the federal government, effectively centralizing resource control under the military’s command, further solidified by 1979 through the establishment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which replaced previous structures thereby giving the military more influence over the sector.

53-year-old chief from Gbaramatu kingdom in the oil-rich Delta state, and a former notorious militant, George Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, told Channels TV in an interview: “Many of the security people are involved because there is no way you can load a vessel without settling [bribing] the security people in that region.”

Similarly, Transparency International, a renowned anti-corruption watchdog in a 2019 discussion paper/report revealed a disturbing trend: military personnel in the Niger Delta have been implicated in facilitating oil theft. These individuals, often stationed at strategic locations, have been accused of accepting bribes from oil thieves in exchange for protection. This collusion allows illegal oil operations to flourish, with military personnel turning a blind eye to the theft and even actively participating in the criminal activities.

The paper went further to highlight the experience of a bunker familiar with the bunkering sops of one of the major bunkering regions, stating, “One participant, who is familiar with illegal bunkering in Bayelsa state, indicated that oil tapping occurs with the knowledge and complicity of military personnel. The military, according to the participant, knew the locations of each tapping point and the names of every individual or group who controlled them.” This eases up the operations of participants and provides “security” for these activities.

The method of crude oil theft referred to as the “Hot Tapping” requires the expert knowledge of rogue oil company workers who provide technical expertise to participants, aiding oil withdrawal operations. In an advocacy report by the Stakeholder Democracy Network, it is noted that “Skilled welders, many who were previously contractors for the oil companies and are now formally unemployed, typically carry this out at night. The most skilled operators can install taps both on dry land and underwater. They often work in small teams of 3 to 6 people and can set up a tapping point in just a few days.” The report further notes that “As oil companies control pipeline pressure from manned control rooms, some of their staff may be complicit in reducing pressure to allow tapping to occur. They would then inform the union members when pressures are being reduced for routine maintenance.” This goes to show the extent to which these dishonorable individuals would go.

They are even alleged to provide skills/training on hot-tapping to criminal gangs; including information on security patrols and schedules.

The Militants and the People. These two groups operate at the very foundational level of oil theft. Jude Bela, a journalist and producer of Declassified on News Central, a leading news channel in Nigeria, in a comprehensive breakdown and analysis of the oil theft saga, noted that the militants in certain cases are used as disturbances in oil regions which allows the superiors to implement methods of oil theft. The services of these groups are also employed to sabotage pipelines for “Cold Tapping” of crude oil.

Cold Tapping

This is the most common method for local oil thieves. When pipelines are damaged or blown up by these groups, they are shut down for repairs and maintenance. During the wait, pipes are connected and the oil is channeled to personal storage tanks parasitically siphoning the black gold from the parent plant. Local villagers carry out self-assigned oil cleanups, which is another form of extraction. When this crude is successfully extracted, two things can happen to it: It can be transported to be sold in its raw crude form or it is taken to the illegal artisanal refineries, aka “Bush Refineries,” where the health risk saga begins.

"The clothes you dry outside are not safe, neither are your lungs!"
"Dry your white clothes outside at your own risk”

In Rivers State, one of the HQs of crude theft and illegal bunkering, pre-pandemic from 2017 to late 2019, it was risky to dry your clothes outside, especially white ones. If you do “strong-head”, you could end up carrying an almost half-black dress back in.

It was commonplace to see thick black smoke billow up into the sky in overwhelming amounts and dark gray clouds hanging low over the city like charcoal smeared across the sky.

The atmosphere was usually cloudy as these hazardous hydrocarbon emissions emanating from surrounding creeks and waterways loom in the air for hours. From as early as seven in the morning, the atmosphere was visibly foggy and there was always a stench of crude oil everywhere.

The problem of the soot was evident as anything and everything was polluted. Outside, one is easily covered with soot, and inside, the floors, electrical appliances, and furniture accumulate an alarming amount of its spread.

Living in such polluted environments, the results of inhaling such toxic chemicals began to show as residents started facing challenges with breathing, with many suffering persistent catarrh and cough, chronic nasal infections, and bronchitis. It was also a major crisis for people with asthma. Local doctors and hospitals saw a spike in the number of people and children with acute respiratory infections in the city. They feared even more significant long-term health issues such as birth defects and certain cancers if the clouds were not clear.

A family friend who is a pharmacist told me she had to buy cough syrups in larger quantities than before because of the increased demand. At some point, the orders for these became so immense she feared that residents were abusing the medicine.

I also faced persistent catarrh and breathing issues which were so bad I used to think that the medicines and syrups were fake. It led to my family renaming the popular expression, “sleeping with one eye closed,” to “sleeping with one nostril closed.”

A study by Agnes Emmanuel Fienemika, Ojule IN, and Best O of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital showed that acute respiratory infections (ARI) among children under five increased by nearly 20% between 2015 and 2016 and at 19.3% between 2016 and 2017. It was at this time that face and nose masks became trendy as people started wearing them as a form of “PPE,” to protect themselves from this health danger.

To protest this, in 2018, citizen groups in Port Harcourt started a peaceful Street Walk Campaign which they tagged #StopTheSoot. Protesters marched to the Rivers State Government House where they were addressed by the Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Banigo, on behalf of the governor, promising that the soot issue will not be politicized and there will be improvements.

Alongside the #StopTheSoot Movement, The Extra Step Initiative created the “Soot Life Expectancy” by Soot City project to increase awareness. The Soot City movement drew tremendous attention to the situation. Their system involved using a formula created by the combination of soot data from more than 40 countries, plus the air quality data of Rivers State, and the official life expectancy of Nigeria which at that time was around 52 years of age, and which provided residents a new and more realistic life expectancy. By using their website, locals could generate a personal life expectancy, and an email is automatically sent on their behalf to over 80 Nigerian senators and also displayed on electronic billboards across the city. Having made over 45 million impressions, this initiative went a long way in heightening attention to the situation.

Survival to the average Nigerian means doing anything, even when it means risking their lives. From the refiners who live on the crime scene, cooking stolen crude, to the citizens whose health are put at risk but who still need the byproducts, members of the Nigerian public are rendered helpless and desperate.

If the promises by the government had been actualized, the rate of Kpo Fire would greatly decrease. Building regulated refineries could significantly reduce the environmental damage from the illegal, unregulated refining operations that produce large amounts of harmful smoke and pollutants.

Modern, regulated refineries are designed to maintain strict environmental standards, with advanced equipment to control emissions and reduce particulate matter. Unlike Kpo Fire setups which burn crude at low temperatures in open residential areas and without any filtration, these modern refineries have emission control systems like scrubbers and catalytic converters that drastically lower the output of harmful pollutants.

Also, due to the low quality of fuel produced at these kpo fire refineries, vehicles emit excessive exhaust fumes at an alarming rate. These tailpipe emissions contain higher levels of pollutants due to the fuel’s impurities, contributing heavily to air pollution.

The recently launched Dangote Refinery started production of its own Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). This “pure motor spirit” is notable for its high purity and quality, which meets or exceeds the standards seen in countries like the U.S. Its lower impurity levels help engines run more efficiently, reducing wear over time and minimizing harmful emissions typically released from exhausts.

Additionally, formal refineries could also provide local employment opportunities and redirect people currently involved in illegal bunkering toward legitimate work.

Although building more refineries would not entirely eliminate air pollution, it would vastly reduce the impact compared to the highly polluting Kpo Fire practices. The better our refineries and regulatory standards, the cleaner and healthier our air becomes. High-quality refining practices and strict emission regulations along with public accountability, directly reduce harmful pollutants, and could significantly improve air quality in affected regions like the South-South and South-West, creating a positive cycle for air quality and public health.

As of today, black soot in the area has been somewhat reduced because of drastic measures taken by the military against illegal bunkering in the state. However, these punitive measures have only contributed to the pollution because when illegal refiners are caught exporting products through the waterways, these products are seized and burnt. This might be a ‘win’ to an extent, but it only adds to the smoke emissions.

Air pollution is far from being resolved in the region and Nigeria at large. The cycle of contamination continues, putting the health of citizens at risk. It leaves me envisioning the day when citizens will wake up to see clear bright skies and breathe in pure air. This feat can only be achieved with the collaborative efforts of the citizens and the government to fight this menace. One day, this success will not just be an imagination but a reality for all. One day, I will be able to brag about my experiences to my children, telling them thrilling stories about my time in Port Harcourt in the late 2010s when I had to cross seven fossil-polluted seas and skip three smoke mountains just to get kerosene and say things like “I slept with one nostril closed so you can sleep with both open.”

One day, the air we breathe will no longer be a threat to our lives. One day.

About the Author:

Professionally known as J. Firstborn, Joshua is a Nigerian writer and communications specialist with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling and social justice. Hailing from the vibrant Niger Delta, his sharp wit and insightful commentary have made him a sought-after voice in the industry. As a fearless advocate for social justice, Joshua uses his words to illuminate the complexities of contemporary society, particularly the experiences of marginalized communities. Through his writing, he seeks to inspire critical thinking, challenge the status quo, and foster a more equitable world.

Notes:

  1. PBS NewsHour, “Militant Group Poses Threat to Nigerian Oil Industry,” PBS.org, March 10, 2006, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/africa-jan-june06-mend_03-10.
  2. Gibson Emeka, “Oil Production Rises as Nigeria Intensifies Clampdown on Theft,” VOA News, October 17, 2024, https://www.voanews.com/a/oil-production-rises-as-nigeria-intensifies-clampdown-on-theft-/7827079.html.
  3. Onuoha Freedom Chukwudi, Ezirim Gerald Ekene, and Chukwuemeka Enyiazu, “UNBRIDLED PILLAGE: The Political Economy of Oil Theft in Nigeria,” Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Nsukka: Dept. of Political Science, 2017), 27.
  4. Channels Television, “[EXCLUSIVE] I Have Comprehensive Lists Of Those Involved In Illegal Bunkering – Tompolo,” YouTube video, October 7, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgJOr_yI5eI.
  5. Transparency International, Military Involvement In Crude Oil Theft In The Niger Delta (2019), 6.
  6. Stakeholders Democracy Network, Communities Not Criminals, Illegal Oil Refining in the Niger Delta, Understanding and Informal Economy (2015), https://www.stakeholderdemocracy.org/sdn-report-communities-not-criminals-illegal-oil-refining-in-the-niger-delta/
  7. Jude Bela, “The Secret Cartel Behind Oil Theft In Nigeria (Ep. 01),” YouTube video, August 7, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6QM3kXaxqE.
  8. West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WACPCo), “WAPCO, West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited, Shutsdown Takoradi Facility for Maintenance,” January 12, 2023, https://www.wagpco.com/wapco-shuts-down-takoradi-facility-for-maintenance/.
  9. Anti-Corruption Evidence (ACE) SOAS Consortium, “Inside an artisanal oil refinery in the Niger Delta,” video, 2021, https://ace.soas.ac.uk/inside-an-artisanal-oil-refinery-in-the-niger-delta-video/.
  10. Agnes Emmanuel Fienemika, Ojule IN, and Best O. “Prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infections among Children Under-Five Years old in A Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: A Two Year Follow-Up study,” Journal of Respiratory Medicine vol. 13, no. 2 (2018): 123-129, https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/prevalence-of-acute-respiratory-infections-among-children-underfiveyears-old-in-a-hospital-in-port-harcourt-nigeriaa-two-year-foll-105724.html.*
  11.  X3M Ideas, “The Soot Life Expectancy Campaign,” YouTube video, March 17, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4buHDrReHXU.
  12. Desmond Okon, “Buhari Finally Inaugurates Dangote Refinery,” The Cable, May 22, 2023, https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-buhari-finally-inaugurates-dangote-refinery/.