By Emeka Okafor
A prominent traditional ruler in the Niger Delta region and Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Delta State, His Majesty, King Monday Obukohwo Whiskey PhD, Udurhie 1, has advised President Bola Tinubu to expand the scope of the operations of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) in the fight against oil theft in the region.
The monarch specifically urged Mr. President to direct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to expand the scope of the contract to cover more states to ensure that the country wins the war against oil theft.
The first-class monarch observed that illegal oil theft as well as sea piracy have seriously reduced since the Federal Government awarded the security of critical oil national asset to Tantita Security Services.
Udurhie 1 spoke on Monday during a media parley with newsmen at his palace in Otorho-Idjerhe (Jesse Town) in Ethiope West Local Government area of the state.
Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom commended President Tinubu for renewing Tantita’s contract and praised Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo for ensuring that crude oil theft in the region is reduced to the barest minimum.
He noted that the call became pertinent over failure of the country to meet OPEC’s crude oil production quota for 2024, positing that expanding Tantita’s area of coverage will increase crude oil production to fund the 2024 budget.
The revered royal father stated that crude oil theft nor destruction oil facilities has not been recorded in the scope currently being covered by Tompolo’s Tantita since it was awarded by the Federal Government.
“From every available fact, Tantita Security Services has not shown that they have the capacity, but they have also demonstrated beyond every reasonable doubt that it is committed in helping to grow our oil and gas production. If we must move forward, there’s a serious need for more Federal Government encouragement.
“I commend President Bola Tinubu for the renewal of the contract for Tantita. I am advocating and pleading with Mr. President to expand the scope of the contract to cover more grounds where oil theft is still being recorded.
“It’s not only Tantita, a contract of this nature was given to. The job was also awarded to a lot of other contractors, but it’s only in the area where Tantita is working that we are seeing this huge improvement in crude oil production. Improvement as our environment is concerned. For more than one year now, we have started seeing even clean water in our creeks and rivers due to the stoppage of crude oil.
“Government should look at the possibility of expanding the scope of that job, so that by so doing we can have increasing level of cleaner environment because the environment within area of Tantita operation is regenerating to base-line condition”, the monarch asserted.
The Idjerhe traditional ruler also praised Tompolo and Tantita for providing job opportunities to youths of the Niger Delta region, noting that such gesture has helped to reduce unemployment and engendered peace in the once-troubled oil-rich region.
Meanwhile, Udurhie 1 also urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Tinubu in the delivery of his campaign promises to Nigeria, adding that one year alone is not enough time fairly judge the current government.
The monarch noted that for the country to move forward, all hands must be on deck, to support President Tinubu to navigate the country through the current economic challenges.
He also called on Nigerians to return to farm just as he disclosed that he had directed his subjects and residents to embrace farming in this daring economic reality in the country to provide enough food.
