As the pipeline protection contract awarded by the Federal Government in a bid to check oil theft and vandalization of oil and gas infrastructure continues to generate controversy, the Niger Delta Peace Front, NDPF, has cautioned ex-militants in the region against attempts to sabotage the project.
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration awarded the pipeline protection contract to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
The President Bola Tinubu administration subsequently renewed the contract, despite opposition by several Niger Delta stakeholders, including ex-militants.
The ex-militants have continued to kick against the renewal of the contract, prompting concerns that the pipeline protection project could be sabotaged, a development which could undermine the Federal Government’s efforts to check oil theft and improve the volume of crude production.
In a statement made available to journalists, the Niger Delta Peace Front, a coalition of stakeholders from the oil rich region, warned against any moves to sabotage the project.
In the statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Patterson Efemena and Onyem Philip, respectively, the NPDF cautioned the ex-militants who it said have “besieged the media space to criticize the renewal of the pipeline protection contract” to be careful not to be used by unscrupulous elements who do not mean well for the nation.
Noting that some of the ex-militants were involved in the execution of the first phase of the contract, the NDPF wondered why they are now making threats against Tantita and the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, over the renewal of the project.
The Niger Delta Peace Front suggested that the campaign against the renewal of the pipeline protection contract is being sponsored by elements who are involved in oil theft.
Drawing attention to what it described as “veiled threats” being directed to the Federal Government by the concerned ex-militants over the renewal of the oil pipeline contract, the NDPF said, “As stakeholders in the Niger Delta, we have resisted the urge to join the fray in the days leading to the renewal of the contract to Tantita Security Limited.
“This we did because we hold it dearly to our hearts that subversive activities sponsored by those who benefited monthly from Tantita will not further the interest of Nigeria.
“We have tried discreetly to prevail on those who have committed huge amount of funds to sponsor publications not just against against Tantita but also the NNPCL and top government functionaries to stop and embrace the prevailing mood of the nation that says enough to oil theft.
“We are of the view that it is about time we stopped these threats and name calling to pursue things that are beneficial to our country’s finances and the poorly managed ecology of our homeland.
“Oil theft has to be called its right name – a plague on the financial well being of our country. We will surely do better if we commit half of the energy we have dissipated on this issue to putting up a concerted front to fight oil theft.”
The Niger Delta stakeholders further stressed that contracts are not won by hurling insults at the awarding authorities and those selected for jobs, adding that “you need demonstrable capacity, and track record to follow through the procedure spelt out for contract award”.
The NDPF observed that about 18,000 youths of the Niger Delta were engaged in the first phase of the oil pipeline contract, a development which it said was in the interest of the people of the region.
“As people from the Niger Delta, we should join forces with Tantita to prosecute a successful campaign against our country and our environment rather than supporting the saboteurs of our economy over a port of porridge,” the NDPF added.
