September 4, (THEWILL) – Disgruntled ex-militant leaders from the Niger Delta region have unanimously declared their readiness to confront former leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, over his alleged monopoly of the alleged multi-million-dollar surveillance contract from the federal government.
According to the aggrieved leaders, the multi-million-dollar Pipeline Surveillance contract must be reviewed by the Federal Government, to limit the scope of operations of Tompolo and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, to only their State of origin in Delta, and hands-off the protection of oil pipelines in the other states in the region namely; Akwa- Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Ondo and Rivers state.
The ex-militant leaders in a statement signed by self-styled Commander, Moses Ebipador, also known as Water Spirit, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to evaluate the nation’s crude oil production and export numbers between August 2022 to August 2023, stating that the nation’s crude oil production and export numbers decreased at the time when the federal government was paying over $1.3 billion (over N1 trillion) for pipeline surveillance to three individuals, all from Delta state.
They also claimed that President Tinubu should be aware of that few officials at the NNPCL have been compromised to allegedly mislead him into approving three (3) months contract extension, in order to provide needed financing for some political actors in the November 11th Bayelsa election.
“The President should conduct proper review of the $1.3 billion Crude Oil Pipeline Surveillance contract awarded to these three individuals from Delta state in accordance with the national and economic security interest of the country and decentralise the contract to include other ex-militant leaders from the different states in the region in order to effectively reduce the menace of crude oil theft and boost oil production.”
The group also alerted security agencies in the FCT, Abuja, over the alleged plan by some persons affiliated with Tantita Security Services to stage a protest against the Federal Government’s delay at renewing the $1.3 billion dollars pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to three contractors.
The former ex-militant leader Commander, Ebipador called on the Security agencies to investigate individuals involved that are lodged in various hotels in Abuja and allegedly coordinated by some key political actors from Delta and Bayelsa state in their desperate attempt to pressure President Tinubu into approving a three (3) months contract extension.
They argued that the planned protest and reported arrest of Four personnel of the Tantita Security Services, owned by Tompolo, is an indication of the high level of intolerance, disrespect and desperation shown by those agitating for the express renewal of the contract which expired last week.
They also claimed that paid advocates and allies of the three contractors are allegedly mounting pressure for President Bola Tinubu to renew the contract for three months to coincide with the needed funding for the November 11 Governorship elections in Bayelsa state.
They stated that the majority of those genuinely interested in due process and sustenance of the fight against illegal bunkering and crude oil theft are calling for a review and decentralisation of the surveillance contract for effective anti-oil theft policy.
“We back all calls for the Federal Government to decentralise the award of all pipeline surveillance and maintenance contracts across the different states in the Niger Delta region to reputable ex-militant leaders, who worked with the President and supported his plans for our nation from the onset during the primaries, and also that the President tread with caution as those clamouring for the quick renewal of the contract may not have the best interest of his administration at heart.”
The Ex-Militant leaders also called on the authorities of the Nigerian Navy and the Federal Government to investigate an aborted attempt to cart away crude oil at Lekki Waters and arrested four men identified as men of TANTITA Security Service, owned by Tompolo.
They were arrested by men of the Nigerian Navy stationed at FOB LEKKI at waterways near the Itolu community, Lekki, after the residents of the area raised alarm following gunshots from the waterside.
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