Ijaw Legal Practitioner Backs Tantita, Writes Open Letter To President Tinubu
OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR
Decentralization of Pipeline Surveillance: A Return to Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism in the Niger Delta
Your Excellency,
I write to express my deep concern regarding the ongoing campaigns, propaganda, and calls from certain quarters for the decentralization of pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta.
These calls for decentralizing surveillance contracts are not borne out of public interest or any objective evaluation of the performance of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Maton Engineering Limited. Rather, they are deliberate and well-orchestrated attempts by oil thieves and illegal bunkerers, in collaboration with political actors with vested interests, to destabilize your administration and reverse the progress made in curbing oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.
It is widely known in the Niger Delta that these calls are being influenced and championed by individuals who previously benefited from illegal oil theft and bunkering activities in the region.
The ultimate objective of these actors is to reopen the Niger Delta to rampant illegal bunkering, oil theft, and the destruction of critical oil infrastructure; activities that previously brought Nigeria’s economy to its knees. These actions not only deprive the nation of billions in revenue but also pollute the environment, harm local communities, and undermine national security.
Your Excellency, Nigeria has been down this road before.
There was a time when pipeline surveillance was handled by multiple community contractors, including some of the same groups now advocating for decentralization. Rather than reducing oil theft and vandalism, this fragmented approach resulted in poor coordination, weak oversight, and increased opportunities for criminal activities. Consequently, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism became widespread across the Niger Delta.
The consequences were severe. Nigeria’s oil production declined significantly, government revenue dropped, and the environment suffered extensive degradation.
A turnaround began with the engagement of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited under the leadership of High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and High Chief Kestin Pondi. Their grassroots credibility and proven effectiveness have contributed significantly to reducing oil theft, restoring investor confidence, and stabilizing the Niger Delta region.
The current peace and stability in the region can largely be attributed to these efforts, which have fostered cooperation among stakeholders.
Decentralizing the surveillance contracts at this time would undermine these gains and embolden those seeking to resume criminal activities. The government must remain vigilant and resist any attempts to destabilize the region under the guise of decentralization of pipeline surveillance contract.
It is therefore crucial that your administration rejects these campaigns of calumny, decentralization and instead renews the contracts of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Maton Engineering Limited to ensure continued security and economic stability in the Niger Delta.
Your Excellency, I respectfully urge you to renew these contracts in order to preserve the gains achieved, sustain peace in the region, and secure the economic future of our nation.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem.
Signed:
HON. (BARR.) JEFFREY PERE OROMONI
Niger Delta Youth Leader
Cc:
1. The National Security Adviser to the President
2. The Minister of State for Petroleum
3. The Management of NNPCL
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