A leader in Bilabiri Mein Kingdom in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Yerin Ekiriyan Johnbo, has cautioned the Federal Government to thread carefully on the call by those he labelled as "enemies of progress" to terminate the pipeline surveillance contract currently handled by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) in the Niger Delta region.

Yerin, who is Tantita Coordinator in the Bilabiri Mein Kingdom, warned that any decision to not renew the contract could prove fatal and destabilise the region that is currently experiencing peace and attracting investors for development, stressing that it is only Tantita that has the capacity to safeguard pipelines without compromising.

The leader also said that the suggestion being made that the pipeline surveillance contract should be split in such a way that each community will guide the pipeline is a laughable one, stressing that people should not domesticate a national project.

"I think it is laughable when people say everybody should guide the pipeline in their territory. For Christ sake, the pipeline surveillance contract is not a domestic project, but a national project. Many persons are missing the point.

"For instance, use Delta State as an example. Julius Berger construction company that is hired by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to construct roads and flyover bridges in Effurun. Since the project is in Effurun, why didn't the governor recruit an Effurun man to execute the project?" he asked rhetorically.

According to the Tantita Coordinator, the security firm owned by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and managed by High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Pondi has been tested and tried, and has proven capacity beyond any doubt to secure national assets.

He said he suspected that the recent campaign of calumny being promoted against TSSNL is sponsored by disgruntled elements who are losing out in oil theft, and are insecure about Tantita expanding its operations to offshore as being pushed by those who have confidence in the security firm.

"Let us be honest. Why take away a job from someone who is overperforming? Doesn't that give away the notion that some desperate elements are at work, who are afraid of Tantita, especially with advocacy for the pipeline surveillance contract to be extended to cover offshore?

"After trying so hard for Tantita to compromise and failed, they are now exploiting this option so that they can penetrate the system and resume back the business of oil theft," he alleged.

Yerin called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of urgency, not only renew the current pipeline surveillance contract, but increase its scope to include offshore surveillance of national assets, while warning that Nigeria should not return to the era of dwindling oil production, revenue loss, and pollution.

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