The Concerned Ijaw Citizens group has urged President Bola Tinubu to disregard calls for the cancellation of the oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Ltd, a company owned by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
In a recent interview, the group’s coordinator, Chief Manager Seigha, emphasized that revoking the contract would be detrimental to the nation’s economic stability.
He argued that those pushing for cancellation are motivated by personal interests rather than the country’s well-being.
Seigha praised Tantita Security Services Ltd for its effective efforts in reducing oil theft, which has resulted in a significant increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production, according to News Agency of Nigeria.
He noted that the company has provided employment opportunities for many youths in the Niger Delta region, contributing to a reduction in restiveness and promoting peace in the area.
By supporting the continuation of the contract, the Concerned Ijaw Citizens group aims to promote the economic growth and stability of Nigeria, while also recognizing the positive impact of the company’s efforts in the Niger Delta region.
“When crude oil theft became so high and Nigerian crude oil production went down from about 1.9 million per day to about 900,000 per day, it was Tompolo that came out to offer help.
“At that time, many oil magnates were crying out that the bulk of oil being stolen was about 60 per cent of daily output, and that those of them in the business were losing seriously.
“The volume of oil that was being stolen can only be imagined . At that time, security agencies like the Navy and the police were in Niger Delta, but could not solve the problem.
“That happened for more than four years before the government, under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari engaged Tompolo to address the problem, Seigha said.
He added Tompolo had done well so far in the execution of the contract and that calls for the contractual agreement to be revoked had no basis .
Seigha added: “He (Tompolo) understands the terrain and creeks and this has been working for the nation. Within one year, Federal Government recovered more than 700,000 barrel per day.
“Today, the country has recovered over million barrel per day that were being stolen at a time. It is unfortunate to hear people questioning why the Federal Government gave the contract to Tompolo.
“In fact ,what the government is paying Tompolo is not commensurate with the huge work he is doing to stabilise the economy.
“We need to safeguard oil installations and protect crude oil from being stolen ,” he said.
According to him, no security personnel can access some of the places where Nigerian oil has been stolen.
“Tompolo’s boys can go to places Police, Navy and Army cannot go. Navy patrols the creeks from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. What happens in the midnight?
“It is these young people employed by Tompolo who are working 24 hours making it impossible for oil theft to take place,” he said.
The co-ordinator said the group’s call on the government to retain Tantita’s contract was not for pecuniary benefits, but out of patriotism and the need to take the economy off the hands of saboteurs.
“We, as elders, are not talking because of any gain as we don’t get a dime from the contractor, but we are talking because the nation is dear to us and our environment is better now unlike before.
“If we look at the great work Tompolo is doing to help the economy, what the government is paying him is nothing much.
“We should not bring the nation back to era of oil theft. In fact, we feel it is not too much to give Tompolo 10 per cent of what he is bringing to the system, to end oil theft.
“So, it is not a job soldiers or police can do. Some people don’t just understand. Nigeria will lose if the contract is revoked as being advocated by some ignorant people.
“There is nobody in the Niger Delta that has the capacity that Tompolo has.Those complaining just want to strangle the economy and make money.” he said.
