Former agitators from the Niger Delta region appealed on Sunday to the federal government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to renew the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited.

The former agitators, under the aegis of the Coalition of Ex-Agitators of the Niger Delta (CEND), said Tantita Security Services Limited has shown capacity and competence in securing oil assets in the region.

Tantita Security Services Limited is owned by a foremost ex-militant leader, Government Ekpumpolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

In a statement signed by its coordinator, Gershom Gbobo, CEND said that the security outfit had shown commendable capacity to protect oil facilities within its mandate area.

Mr Gbobo said Tantita Security Services Limited deserves to be given an additional contract to protect the Trans Niger Delta pipeline considering its efficiency in the last year.

He said, “Tantita Security Services Limited has reduced illegal bunkering to the barest minimum. It has also provided jobs for our people in the region.

“Therefore, we call on our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act fast in renewing the surveillance contract.

“Pipeline surveillance is for people on ground and close to the pipe. Tantita is on ground and has consulted and included all the community leaders in its area of operation in the contract.”

Mr Gbobo said that the former agitators would continue to recognise Tomopolo as their leader and work with him to secure oil assets in the region.

“Tantita Security Services Limited has shown capacity through its track record. It has continued to sustain peace in the region by engaging the youth in its operations.

“Renewing the contract will help to further deepen the peace and increase the production of crude oil in the country.

“CEND endorses Tompolo’s Tantita and urges the Nigerian Government to do the needful and renew the contract,” he said. 

(NAN)