Delta State traditional rulers from Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw and Ndokwa extractions have called on President Bola Tinubu to renew the Pipeline Surveillance Contract for Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd just as they called on him to expand its mandates. The traditional ruler made this known today an enlarged meeting of the Monarchs which was held at the palace of HRM Dr. Emmanuel E. Sideso, OON, JP, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom.
According to them, this renewal of the contract for the organization becomes important considering the fact that, since Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd was awarded the contract of securing the nation’s oil, there has been a reduction in criminality in the area: illegal bunkering, crude oil theft, kidnapping, sea piracy, armed robbery and youth restrictiveness, among others.
They noted that the firm’s operations have led to a significant reduction in criminal activities across the region. The traditional further said, since the organization has been handling the contract, the nation’s oil production has increased to about 1.8 million barrels per day, with gas output also rising, a development they said, has attracted more foreign direct investment to the country.
According to them, the improved security situation has positively impacted Nigeria’s economy and the environment. Their words:” It has bolstered the economy of the country and improved both aquatic and terrestrial habitats due to the reduction in illegal bunkering and destruction of oil and gas pipelines.” The Monarchs therefore frowned at the calls for decentralization of the pipeline surveillance contract just as they warned that such an action is capable of thwarting the achievements the country has recorded over the years in this regard.
Their words: “We condemn the calls for the decentralization of the Tantita contract. Our findings show that the contract is already decentralised, with various contractors handling different sections across ethnic nationalities.” The Monarchs however expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for awarding the contract to Tantita over the years just as they said, the company has continued to deliver measurable results in securing oil and gas infrastructure.
In an open letter to the President, they said:” We express deep appreciation and profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd worthy of the pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta.” The traditional rulers used the medium to appeal to the President to renew and expand the scope of the contract to sustain the progress achieved.
Their words: “We appeal to Mr. President to renew and expand the scope of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd to enhance increased oil and gas outputs man and ensure optimum peace and stability in the region.” In their separate remarks, some Monarchs praised Tantita’s performance, particularly its role in restoring livelihoods and creating employment opportunities for youths. One of them said:”One of the greatest impacts is that our people can now return to fishing and farming. Our rivers are cleaner, and our environment is safer.”
Another traditional ruler noted that the company had engaged many youths in surveillance operations. His words:” Many of our youths are now employed as security personnel, which has reduced restrictiveness in our communities.” On his part, a representative of Tantita, Barrister Emmanuel Jakpa, commended the Monarchs for their support, describing it as critical to national security. His words: “Your service in your respective kingdoms in supporting this work is a national service because it concerns the security of the most valuable assets in our nation’s economy.”
According to him, prior to the award of the contract in 2022, Nigeria’s oil production had dropped significantly due to crude oil theft adding that, when this contract was signed in August 2022, production was around 700,000 barrels per day but today that story has changed completely as recovery levels are now between 97 and 99 per cent.
Jakpa further stated that, the company’s intervention has improved environmental conditions in the Niger Delta. His words:” If you visited many communities before now, pollution was a major issue. Today, that has significantly reduced, and our environment is cleaner and safer.” He therefore warned that the progress made could be reversed if support for the initiative is withdrawn.His words: “This progress is not irreversible. If the right things are not sustained, we may return to the days of pollution and insecurity.”
The day’s meeting climaxed with renewed commitment by both the Monarchs and Tantita as an organization to sustain existing collaboration in protecting nation’s critical assets and development in the Niger Delta