The Special Adviser to the Delta State Government on Niger Delta Affairs, Griftson Omatsuli, during a recent tour of the 87-kilometre Trans Forcados Pipeline contracted to an indigenous firm, Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS), has said that whoever is hinting on stopping the contract of securing pipelines from oil theft is creating room for vandalism to thrive in the Niger Delta region.

Omasuli who described the clamours for the Federal Government to withdraw the services of pipeline surveillance companies in the Niger Delta as "dangerous" said that vandals had committed many atrocities that should not be encouraged

In his words: "Whoever that is nurturing that plan does not mean well for Nigerian oil companies producing in the Niger Delta region and government infrastructure. If they remove the contract, they would be creating an avenue for pipeline vandalism and reduction in the Federal Government‘s revenue from oil sales.

“For all over six years since OMS began operations, the level of criminality has gradually reduced because we felt that the people involved in the criminal acts have been employed and empowered by OMS to guard these pipelines. This is why the Federal Government has been meeting up with the OPEC quota,” Omatsuli added.

It would also be recalled that a presidential delegation recently inspected key oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.

The members of the delegation, which was led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja; Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri; Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources, Ekperipe Ekpo; with senior officials of the NNPCL, led by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, and other top security personnel.

The delegation which visited Port Harcourt in Rivers State, and oil and gas facilities in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, revealed that Nigeria currently loses $4m daily to crude theft, vandalism of assets, among others.

The NSA, Ribadu, had said the federal government would sustain its partnership with Tantita Security Services Limited, to curb the crime of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta, and added that the federal government would soon take additional measures to ensure that things change for the better in pipeline security.

However, other stakeholders in the region have continued to clamour for the continuation of the contract, especially to Tantita and other indigenous firms, to secure pipelines from vandalism and oil theft because the effect of the vandalism of pipelines has a terrible impact on the economy, ecosystem, health, infrastructure and the aquatic life of the communities.

The likes of the past deputy governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro; the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West LGA of Delta State, HRM Monday Obukohowo Whiskey, Udurhie I; the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, HRM Ajuwe Wilson Ojakovo, the Oharisi III, among others have continued to harp on the need to sustain the war against oil theft in the region.

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