By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
CHAIRMAN, House of Representatives Commitee on Petroleum Resources (Training Funds), RT. Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to renew and expand the firm’s contract and scope of operation in pipeline surveillance in the Niger Delta.
This is coming following the arrest of thieving vessels – MT KALI and MT Harbour Spirit – by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL) within three weeks amid national accolades showered on the firm for a job well done.
Tantita operatives
Chief Ereyitomi is the Akatigbi Ayeola of Warri Kingdom, Delta State, made the call on Thursday in an open letter personally signed and forwarded to President Tinubu a copy of which was made available to journalists in Warri.
He said the gestures would enable the private security outfit to further reduce oil theft in continued collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies.
The open letter read in part:
“Your Excellency, this open letter is a follow up to the one I sent to you on the 30th August, 2023. It is on the same subject matter of pipelines surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta.
“In the first letter, I reviewed the sterling performance of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), one of the private security companies hired by the Federal Government for surveillance of oil pipelines.
“I made it known to Mr. President that Tantita holds the revered position of primus inter pares amongst security firms engaged by the federal authorities to provide surveillance for pipelines in the Niger Delta, and that the company’s contract should be renewed to encourage its management for better future performance.
“Since my letter was published, which I believe was brought to your attention, the NNPCL has procrastinated for 6 (six) months over the Tantita contract renewal.
“This is unfair. What is to be done, should be done well and quickly too. The delay of action is not good.
“As you are aware, Mr. President, crude oil daily production has kept improving. It shows some people work day and night to ensure a turnaround, and those responsible for the feat, the government must encourage.
“Recent events and development made me want to contact you again on the same matter.
“You may wonder why I keep drumming up support for Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited? Wondering whether I am their special purpose advertising vehicle or the company’s megaphone.
“Well, I am none of that. I do what I am doing to intimate Mr. President and the relevant authorities of the firm’s commitment to duty and how it has restored oil production in areas were non has been produced for years.
“The Presidency under Muhammadu Buhari had a touch of genius to have recognized the potentials of Tomoplo & his Tantita outfit. The company has done well in the protection of pipelines and other federal government oil assets in the Niger Delta.
“Crude production has risen steadily over time, oscillating between 1.4 – 1.6 million barrels per day, from a pittance 650 thousand barrels, before the intervention by Tantita.
“Operatives of Tantita Security working in a collaborative synergy with a detachment of government special task force, set up by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, recently launched an unending, ruthless and relentless, well synchronized siege on unrepentant criminals and oil thieves in the Niger Delta. So far, the results have been very encouraging.
“In the last three weeks, two heavy duty oil bunkering vessels – MT Kali & MT Harbour Spirit, both with capacity to lift hundred of thousands tonnes of crude oil, were intercepted and apprehended during the joint operations of Tantita and the Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla special forces. The two arrests signal a new threshold for potential gains in a marriage of the Nigerian Navy and Tantita.
“This is a major win in the battle to rid the nation’s waterways of oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
“These efforts of Tantita are commendable. The company remains resolute under many odds. It is still delivering, raising the hope that there is a silver lining in the sky for the nation’s economy.
“Tantita is dug in the trench in readiness for battle against the criminals. It has secured Delta State. It is currently working round the clock to sanitize the Bayelsa terrains.
“Hence, I once again approach Mr. President to ask that Tantita’s contract be renewed to prop up the morale of its operators.
“Most importantly, I ask that the scope of Tantita’s contract be expanded to areas considered problematic and requires special attention and sanitization. Our people say, when it is good for the soil, it will also be good for the yam,” the Itsekiri born lawmaker pleaded.
While urging President Tinubu to extend and expand the scope of Tantita’s operation to the deep sea and blue waters, where the notorious oil buccaneers mostly perfect their illicit trade unhindered, the reps member affirmed that the interest of Niger Delta is paramount to him with no personal interest or gain attached.
Ereyitomi, further, urged President Tinubu to “impress it on the management of the NNPCL to quickly assent to the renewal of Tantita’s expanded contract.”
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