Niger Delta Peacekeeping Voluntary Front (NDPVF) and the Third Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has denounced attempts to discredit the success of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and his Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in boosting Nigeria’s oil production.
Tantita, which was contracted by the federal government to protect its assets like crude oil pipelines and installations across the Niger Delta region, is owned by former militant leader, Tompolo.
The statement denouncing Tantita’s huge success was credited to one Jude Gbaboyor, who took to social media to spew lies and propaganda, even exhibiting a lack of knowledge about the federal government surveillance contract agreement with Tompolo.
A joint communique read at the briefing in Warri, Delta State and signed by leader of the NDPVF, Hon. Kurata Akassa and Vice Chairman of Phase Three of Presidential Amnesty Programme, General Alhaji Letugbene, said it is either that Gbaboyor is oblivious or feigning ignorance that during the administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, the pipeline surveillance contract was shared among some former leaders of the struggle and that it was only Tompolo who recorded success in tackling oil theft while the criminal act continued unabated in the areas covered by the others.
The communique noted that the Tantita Security Services has recorded huge success in its war against crude oil theft and pipelinesâ vandalism, while employing international best practice in combating saboteurs and oil thieves, destroying their vessels, confiscating equipment and curbing oil pollution.
It asserted that Tompolo’s statement about the complicity of the Nigerian Navy in crude oil theft in the Niger Delta is not a cheap blackmail as being peddled by Gbaboyor but a statement of fact that is well known by not only the federal and state governments in the region but the common man in the various communities.
The communique also praised the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Tompolo for their relentless and commendable effort which has increased the nationâs crude oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd), with hope of hitting 2 million barrels per day by next month.
The communique said “rather than cast aspersions against Tompolo, Gbaboyor and his likes should support Tantita and the federal government with ideas backed by research, which will enable the international oil companies and the NNPCL to work round the clock, in a peaceful atmosphere, to boost oil production, while noting that accusing the NNPCL of being behind Nigeria’s troubles is a weighty accusation.
It asserted that before the award of surveillance contract to Tompolo, oil theft and pipeline vandalism had denied the country millions of dollars in revenue, adding that the outgone administration of Muhammadu Buhari decided to seek the help of Tompolo and President Bola Tinubu also saw reasons to renew the contract in a bid to curb the criminal act and boost revenue.
According to the communique, Gbaboyor’s statement about the key role of Tantita Security Services in the quest to boost oil production is flawed by hypocrisy, disdain and jealousy towards his brother, Tompolo, even when the latter could do better by speaking the truth but rather he embarked on spreading lies, hate and propaganda.
The joint communique said ‘for avoidance of doubt ‘ that Tantita has enhanced security which has automatically reduced oil theft and vandalism, increased oil production
in collaboration with the NNPCL to 1.8 million barrels daily, with a target of 2 million by the end of this year, contributed to Nigeria’s economic growth and development through increased oil revenue, improved relations between oil companies and host communities, populations and created jobs to tackle poverty,
Other achievements the communique noted include prevention of oil spills and environmental degradation, effective public-private partnership to boost production, enhanced security in the Niger Delta by reducing conflicts and tensions, success in tackling Nigeria’s unique security challenges due to its specialized knowledge and capabilities as well as sustainable growth, security, and development in Nigeria’s oil sector.
The communique also appealed to all Ijaw leaders across the Niger Delta region including the President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, National Assembly members and senior former ex-agitators to work together to promote Ijaw unity in the Nigerian federation.