Renew Tompolo's Pipeline Surveillance Contract, Edo HOSTCOM Tells FG, Says Peace Returning to Niger Delta

                     

 Tompolo                                             

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

CITING the relative peace in the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, which has led to upsurge in the nation's crude oil production, the Edo State chapter of Host Communities Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) has called on President Bola Tinubu to renew the contract for oil pipeline surveillance to High Chief Government "Tompolo" Ekpemupolo.

Speaking weekend in Benin City, Edo State at a meeting of HOSTCOM, the state chairman, Mr. Kenneth Kenebragha "KK" Aduwaye said that Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, the pipeline surveillance company owned by High Chief Ekpemupolo has succeeded to a very large extent in curtailing cases of pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region.

Mr. Aduwaye said that before the advent of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, oil spillages as a result of pipeline vandalism, which leads to environmental degradation was the order of the day, adding that the company has delivered very well on its mandate.

The Edo HOSTCOM chairman remarked that at a dismal 1.3 million barrels of oil per day, Nigeria was very far away from meeting its Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota of 2.3 million barrels per day.

He said that with Tompolo's company, Nigeria oil production has shot up 1.870 million barrels per day and is poised to further increase and meet the OPEC quota of 2.3 million barrels per day.

He said: "There's no need for the federal government to terminate the contract by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. High Chief Government Ekpemupolo's company has succeeded in maintaining the peace in the Niger Delta. Cases of pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries and oil theft have subsided since he took over. The Nigerian oil industry, the mainstay of the nation's economy, is better for it. From a low of 1.3 million barrels per day, Nigeria oil production has surged to almost 1.9 million barrels per day and is poised to hit 2 million barrels per day. 

"Against this backdrop, there is no need changing the pipeline surveillance company. The company has delivered significantly and has made the work easier for the different HOSTCOMs. As they say in sport, you don't change a winning team. Edo HOSTCOM is therefore calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to renew the contract for High Chief Government Ekpemupolo's company. It has done well and should be encouraged."

Aduwaye (2nd left, Odion (2nd right) and others.                                                   

Speaking in the same vein, the national organizing secretary of HOSTCOM, Dr. Osasu Isibor warned that Nigeria risked going back to the bad old days of pipeline vandalism, environmental pollution illegal refineries deep in the Creeks and oil theft if is revoked.

Dr. Isibor said that as an illustrious son of Niger Delta, the ex-militant has no doubt done the resources rich but ironically poor region proud by surviving the peace in the area, which was before now, a hotbed of militancy.

Edo HOSTCOM secretary, Hon. Odion Prince Abumenre commended High Chief Ekpemupolo for bringing peace to the region.

Hon. Abumenre lamented that Nigeria's economy was hemorrhaging before the pipeline surveillance contract was awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, noting that the federal government should do well to quickly renew it, adding:

"Tompolo is a good man. Because of Tompolo, we can now sleep with our two eyes closed. Edo HOSTCOM is in total support of Tompolo's company. We are humbly appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to renew the contract. It benefits Niger Delta people."