January 13, (THEWILL) – Elders and youths from the six states of the Niger Delta region have faulted claims by private oil pipelines security provider, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), that it impounded an ocean-going vessel laden with stolen crude oil in Bayelsa State.
The security company had on Friday, claimed that it impounded an ocean-going vessel, MT KALI, while transporting tonnes of illegal crude oil from offshore Sokebolou field base in a joint operation with men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to the stakeholders under the aegis of the Movement for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta (MSDND), the claims by Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) are shrouded in lies, deceit, fraud, and an open attempt by Tompolo to manipulate the Federal Government to hand over the Bayelsa corridor to his company to manage the multi-million dollar crude oil and gas pipeline surveillance contract.
The National Coordinator of the MSDND, Chief Ayebatekena Olodi, in a statement made available via electronic mail, said there is no place known as “offshore Sokebolou field” in Bayelsa State, saying, “Every oil station, field, block or oil well has its name mapped out and a simple google search will reveal that there is no such place as “offshore Sokebolou field” and that the seizure and towing of the purportedly seized vessel to Gbaramatu is very convenient for the private security company to fabricate lies in order to manipulate public opinion.
“The management of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) has become desperate to frame the State following the recent national publications of the position of the Bayelsa State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, on the need to review and decentralise the crude oil and gas pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the Federal Government across states in the Niger Delta.”
Olodi said that instead of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) following the legally required protocol, it has “resorted to making unfounded claims and taking over the responsibilities of the anti-corruption agencies.”
He said the purported vessel seizure and the sudden announcement showed signs of desperation by the private security company, owned by a former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, to hoodwink the Federal Government, the National Security Officer (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the board and management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to renew his contract as sole security contractor of the crude oil pipelines in the region.
The MSDND, however called out the management of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) to clear the air on the allegations of wrongdoing and theft levelled against some of its operatives by the Nigerian Navy, saying, “Instead of resorting to unconfirmed and unverifiable stunts, the security company should answer questions raised by the Nigerian Navy on the numerous arrests of Tantita operatives involved in crude oil theft, which has dent its credibility and mode of operations in the region.”
