By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
INDIVIDUALS and groups, who have been calling for the cancellation of contracts awarded private firms to secure crude oil pipelines in the Niger Delta, are enemies of Nigeria.
This verdict was handed down by Chairman, Board of Trustees, Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), Alaowei Cleric Esq., on Tuesday in Warri, Delta State.
He said the call by some persons on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPLC) to terminate the oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Ltd and other private firms was the handiwork of enemies against the progress of Nigeria.
Alaowei further described the call as a great disservice to the nation which mono oil-economy is being daily depleted through massive oil theft with the alleged involvement of some powers that be in the country.
According to him, “Even when officials of the private security firm are making suicidal sacrifices to secure the nation’s economic assets, some people are still criticising High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo?
“Tompolo and Tantita Security Services Limited’s traducers are the real enemies to Nigeria.
“Who knows, maybe they’ve been sponsored by the criminal syndicates milking our economy dry just to continue their grip on the black gold.
“No sane Nigerian, who wants to see an improved oil economy, will criticize Tompolo and NNPCL for taking this laudable initiative.
“The oil cartels have already recruited some ardent criminals to attack Tantita Security Services Limited patrol teams.
“We’re surprised that their lackeys do sit at the comfort of their offices to spew garbage against the man who put his life on the line to save the Nigerian dwindling Petro dollar economy.
“We take strong exception from the Academy of International Affairs led by Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi who claimed that it was failed governance that made NNPCL to award oil pipeline surveillance contract to a private firm.
“Prof. Akinyemi and his group are just being ignorant of the reality.
“Nigeria is not the only country in the world that engages private security firm to secure oil pipelines.
“Countries like Cambodia and Mexico are doing it and it has been successful therein.
“It’s not necessarily because the security agencies have failed in their hallowed responsibility of securing lives and property.
“The job Tantita Security Services Limited is doing is only to complement the efforts of the security agencies.
“Nigerians and indeed, the world are witnessing the collaborative efforts of Tompolo and the security agencies in protecting the national assets.
“This is not the first time, the Federal Government of Nigeria has engaged private firm to secure oil pipelines. During Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan’s administrations, coastal guard security networks were floated at various times to secure the pipelines.
“In fact, it was even the General Alexandra Ogomudia’s-led Presidential Committee that first recommended private security to guard the pipelines in 2002.”
Alaowei, an Ijaw activist, said rather than condemn, President Muhammadu Buhari should be applauded to opting for private security firms to secure and halt further depletion of petrodollars.
“President Buhari has not done anything new, different from what previous governments have done.
“Nigerians should rather applaud Mr. President for taking this laudable gestures.
“Nigeria is indebted to Tompolo for taking this onerous task to salvage our dying economy.
“The man deserves a national honour in recognition of his sacrifices for the nation,” he further averred.
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