By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
TRADITIONAL rulers of Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko and Ndokwa extractions in Delta State have endorsed Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL) for the pipeline surveillance project, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to renew and expand the scope of the contract.
The endorsement was contained in an open letter to the President following an enlarged meeting of the monarchs held on Monday at the Royal Palace of HRM Dr Emmanuel E. Sideso, OON, JP, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom.
The traditional rulers also used the occasion to felicitate with Mr Tinubu on his 74th birthday.
The monarchs expressed profound gratitude to the President for finding Tantita worthy of the pipeline surveillance and protection of critical national assets in the Niger Delta.
After extensively discussing the company’s successes, they passed a resounding vote of implicit confidence in Tantita, praising its unwavering commitment to protecting oil and gas installations.
According to the monarchs, Tantita’s operations have led to a reduction in criminality on all fronts, including illegal bunkering, kpofire, kidnapping, sea piracy, armed robbery and youth restiveness.
They added that the improved security had bolstered the national economy and improved both aquatic and terrestrial habitats across the region due to the decline in illegal bunkering and destruction of pipelines.
The traditional rulers noted that the emergence of Tantita had helped increase oil production to about 1.8 million barrels per day, with gas output also on the rise, translating to increased foreign direct investment for the country.
The monarchs condemned calls for the decentralisation of the Tantita contract, stating that checks had confirmed the contract was already decentralised, with various contractors handling different sections across ethnic nationalities in the state.
They appealed to the President to renew and expand Tantita’s scope to enhance increased oil and gas output and ensure optimum peace and stability in the region.
Speaking at the meeting, Barrister Emmanuel Jakpa, a representative of Tantita, commended the monarchs for their support, describing it as critical to national security.
He disclosed that before the contract was awarded in August 2022, Nigeria’s oil production had dropped to around 700,000 barrels per day.
Today, he said, recovery levels were now between 97 and 99 per cent. He also noted that soot pollution had significantly reduced, making the environment cleaner and safer.
However, he warned that the progress made was not irreversible and could be lost without sustained support.
Several monarchs praised Tantita for restoring livelihoods and creating employment for youths, noting that many young people were now engaged as security personnel, which had reduced restiveness in their communities.
However, they called for improved communication between Tantita and traditional institutions, stressing that regular engagement was essential to address issues and clear misconceptions.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to sustain collaboration in protecting critical national assets and promoting development in the Niger Delta.
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