Against the backdrop in the reduction of environmental pollution on the success recorded in the fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta region, Chief Sheriff Mulade, the National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited in conjunction with the various state security agencies and in collaboration with private security firms, notably Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, for birthing "a new dawn in the Niger Delta as the days of constant water and oil pollution have been fading away."

Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, gave the commendation at a press briefing in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.

Speaking during the conference he said, "At the recently held 2024 Faculty Lecture at the Faculty of Science in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Wednesday, January 18th, during his lecture titled ‘Energy Security, Sustainability and Profitability in Nigeria: Advances, Challenges and Opportunities’, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kolo Kyari CFR revealed that 5,686 illegal refinery sites and 4,480 illegal crude oil connections, totalling 10,166 were discovered and destroyed between the periods of 2021 and 2024.

“While it is not surprising to learn of the statistical breakdown as released by the national oil firm (NNPCL) in the course of their siege against oil theft and vandalism in the region, as a stakeholder I am however glad that these revelations are not only coming to light but have been duly certified by the government, giving credence to our long stand of the massive, collosal degradation that has been ongoing for years in the Niger Delta region,” the CEPEJ Boss noted.

However, while acknowledging what he called "the tremendous progress that has been recorded in the fight against oil theft by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited in conjunction with the various state security agencies in collaboration with private security firms in the region", the CEPEJ Boss also lambasted Nigerian security agencies for their approach in the fight against oil theft, which he said has been a threat to the livelihoods of the people

He said, "However, it is pertinent to mention that NNPCL and the Nigerian security agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting oil installations in the region are indirectly encouraging criminality by the incessant destruction of stolen crude oil evidence, resultant oil spill carnage, thereby destroying aquatic and agrarian life style.

"The continuous destruction of the ecosystem and aquatic lifestyle has left the youths with no option than to engage in criminal activities for survival since the means of livelihoods are being destroyed as a result of the incessant oil spill, of largely fishing and crops farming."

Chief Mulade further said, "Over the years, and before the COVID-19 era, CEPEJ had held series of workshops and organized seminars annually to sensitize stakeholders on the dangers of environmental pollution occasioned by oil leaks or spills, gas flares, and the method of disposing off crude oil confiscated by security agencies from illegal oil sites.

"Since the recruitment of private security firms by the NNPCL to collaborate with other security agencies to wage war against oil theft and vandalism, the Niger Delta people are gradually seeing a new dawn in the Niger Delta as the days of constant water and oil pollution have been fading away," he noted.

The Ibe Serimowei charged the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kolo Kyari, and the security agencies to not relent in their fight, while it also commended Tantita and uts management team for displaying patriotism and commitment towards securing national assets as well as protecting the region from pollution.

"We therefore call on the NNPCL as led by its GCEO Mele Kyari as well as the combined security agencies such as the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Air Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to not relent but sustain the tempo in their onslaught against oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the region.

"We also commend the indigenous private security firms in the region, particularly Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, as led by High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo for turning the tide in the war against oil theft and drastically reducing oil pollution in the coastal communities. Their efforts are worth commending as they have displayed true patriotism and commitment towards not only safeguarding national assets but securing the future of the Niger Delta region," Chief Mulade noted.

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