Huge quantities of illegal petroleum discovered in bushes

Many sites of oil storage were discovered not far from the city of Douala. Bekoko has become a dump for stolen petroleum products.

In this small village located in the district of Dibombari, a few kilometers from the economic city, nearly 5 sites of oil deposits have been identified after a raid by authorities to get their hands on the large quantity of these products.

On Friday, November 7, 2014, a team of representatives from the Department of Mines, Ministry of Water and energy, and the head of regional brigade for environmental inspections accompanied police forces to conduct an unannounced visit to the village on the Douala-Limbe heavy axis.

At the middle of the bush hides a huge consignment, but it had to be searched thoroughly before found. Finally a few kilometers from the main road into the bush, the discovery was made.

Tanks with petroleum product contents were in a well situated at a hideous place for the illegal operations. Several tanks that can hold 500ml each were placed on each other.

The large number of these tanks and the presence of the black product on the floor says a lot about the intensity of work at the location.

According to the Head of Mission of the Ministry of Mines, this is a fraudulent activity that takes place in the margins of the regulations, in respect of petroleum products. "We do not know the origin and quality of this product. This activity is outside the regulations and the administration must confiscate them. We are in a state of law, where there's rules that all must respect in Cameroon," said Daniel Minlongue Gwogwon.

According to the information received, the exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits is guided by rules. However, anyone wishing to practice in this area, must obtain a license, jointly by the Ministry responsible for petroleum products and the management of institutions classified as hazards and industrial risks we learn.

There is a high environmental Risk beyond the illegal aspect of this activity taking place in the regulatory gap, this huge operation all over the rural area shall include a huge environmental risk. "This activity leads to pollution of soil and subsoil by the oil spills. These oils will seep into the subsoil. Environmental and ecological consequences are significant. This is an activity that must be done in the appropriate sites," says Suzanne Nathalie Mpord, Manager of regional brigade of environmental inspections.

During this raid, it was impossible to know who is responsible for this black business. But sources say oil stored in these sites are from the Sonara.

"This oil stored in the bush is for the company Eneo. Indeed when the product comes from Sonara Limbe, when it's supposed to go to the power plant indicated, the drivers take a detour into the bush to reduce the amount of the product" says our source.

An activity which is not without consequences to the energy company because the losses here are valued at nearly 4 billion CFA francs per year for this business. We must remember the heavy fuel oil is a petroleum product for supply to power stations.

This operation resulted in the seizure of about 15,000ml of oil, which are currently stored at the regional delegation for the Littoral Mine.