By Onome Oghenetega
The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Delta State, His Royal Majesty, King Obukowho Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1, has charged President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to renew the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.
Udurhie 1, who controls one of the largest oil and gas territory in the Niger Delta region, said since the contract was awarded to Tompolo during the regime of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the country has recorded downfall in oil theft in the region.
The revered Niger Delta monarch particularly admonished the Federal Government to be warry of elements that against the socio-economic progress of the oil rich using the struggle for the renewal of the surveillance contract to score cheap political point.
The position of the Urhobo monarch was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Effurun, Delta State.
Tompolo, a former Niger Delta militant leader, is the owner of Tantita Security Service Limited awarded the surveillance contract for the production of oil and gas pipeline.
Ovie of Idjerhe said, “I am indeed worried that some dark forces are hiding under the pretext of freedom of speech to work against the Nation’s economic development by opening opposing the renewal of the current security pipeline contract awarded to Tantita Security Limited and forgetting the sorry state of the Niger Delta Environment and the near total collapse of all aquatic life and economic down turn before Tantita Security came to the rescue.
“It is instructive to note that apart from Tantita Security other companies were also awarded the same pipeline Security and there are possibilities that more others will be awarded. So, the question is why are people against Tantita Security project? Maybe, they expected that Tantita’s authorities will compromise and allow the forces of darkness to continue with their nefarious activities that brought the nation’s economy to its knees while some disgruntled elements smile to the banks.
“The Federal Government should not only discard such forces of darkness but should reward Tantita Security authorities by expanding the scope of their work as can be seen from their performance chats and rewarding hardwork and patriotism as shown by authorities of Tantita Security will encourage others to work for National interest rather than selfish individual interest.
“The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government must be commended for the bold initiatives which informed the visit of the high-power delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to access the state of things across the Niger Delta areas.
“This is one bold step that is worthy of commendation as visiting the areas will give government firsthand information and true situation on ground. It is very lucid from the visit that the visitors saw for themselves cleaner Niger Delta Rivers different from the highly polluted waters of 2022 before Tantita Security officials resumed work.
“They saw for themselves aquatic life returning to their natural environment and yet some self-appointed agents of darkness are up in arms advocating for cancellation of this all-important security contract that is today saving the nation economy and restoring our degraded environment gradually to it normal state.
“Tantita Security deserved commendations by all patriots who truly love and wish our Country well. There is room for Government to patronised more persons with pipeline Security work if such persons show capacity and dexterity as currently shown by Tantita Security outfit.
“Let not fight ourselves while our nation common enemies smile to banks with our commonwealth in the name of illegal bunkering and crude oil theft. As important as national economic survival, the continuous protection of the Niger Delta Environment and her aquatic life is of great importance to people and even our unborn generation.”
