A stakeholder in the Niger Delta region, Mr. Tony Okirika, Managing Director of Okris-Anderson Nigeria Limited and Publisher of DANDORA Magazine, has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to renew and expand the oil pipeline surveillance contract of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a firm currently tasked with securing national oil assets in the region.

Mr. Okirika's appeal is coming against the backdrop of recent calls and allegedly sponsored advocacy and crusades by some notable critics for the decentralization of the oil pipeline surveillance contract.

Throwing his support for Tantita, the entrepreneur and publisher declared that both the hitherto volatile Niger Delta region and the oil and gas industry have experienced relative peace and increased output since Tantita was awarded the pipeline surveillance contract in 2022.

The statement reads, "I want to strongly lend my voice and join forces with well meaning Niger Delta stakeholders, youth groups, traditional rulers and those who have the interest and development of the region at heart, to appeal to our father, National Daddy and President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as all appropriate establishments and authorities, to renew the Oil Pipeline Surveillance Contract which was awarded to Tantita Security Services Nig. Ltd in 2022.

"I also wish to appeal to President Tinubu to expand the mandate of TSSNL to further enhance stability in the region and reduce oil theft to the barest minimum. It is on record that since Tantita, which is led by our own brother and son, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, got the oil pipeline surveillance contract, there has been reduced oil theft and increased oil production to over 1.8 million barrels per day, as a result of improved security in guarding and protecting oil pipelines in the Niger Delta.

"The survelliance contract under Tantita has also provided legitimate jobs and employment for Niger Delta indigenes as thousands of youths across the region have not only been gainfully employed, but have also been assisted by the numerous empowerment schemes and capacity building programmes sponsored or supported by TSSNL and its proxies, thus reducing involvement in criminal activities.

"Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has not only exhibited proven competence, operational digital compliance, impressive transparency, engagement and effectiveness in securing oil infrastructure across the Niger Delta, diligence and professionalism in combating pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, but has also successfully carried along all critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta, including host communities, traditional institutions, youths and women, thereby fostering peace, cooperation, and local participation in protecting vital national assets.

"I can also attest that with the improved security of oil facilities, our environment has become cleaner and safer, as illegal bunkering activities, which previously caused widespread environmental degradation as a result of crude operations, have been drastically reduced and this has positively impacted the livelihoods of our people, as most of our youths, hitherto engaged in the illegal practice, have been gainfully employed or learning multiple skills. Our people in the creeks, who depend largely on fishing and other water-based activities can now carry our their traditional activities in relative peace.

"All these and many more positive developments have been made possible as a result of the centralized nature of the Oil Pipelines Survelliance Contract, which has ensured that loopholes for fraudulent activities are effectively plugged, operations are strictly carried out and monitored and the government knows who exactly to hold responsible or seek explanations and clarifications from, on a regular basis, instead of dissipating energy and resources chasing several fronts.

"It is therefore only germane to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to renew and even expand the mandate of the Oil Pipeline Survelliance Contract to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for greater gains and to both the Niger Delta and the fortunes of the country.

"I also caution the agitators for decentralization to consider the interest of the Niger Delta people and region, as well as the fortunes of the country through oil production, rather than their own selfish and myopic interests and agenda," he concluded.

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