Urhobo leaders pass vote of confidence in Tantita

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The President-Generals (PGs) of the Urhobo communities and coordinators of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), on Monday, rejected a call by the PG of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), which urged the Federal Government to terminate the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita.

Addressing the media at a world press conference in Ughelli, Delta State, the people also passed a unanimous vote of confidence in Tantita’s Chairman, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and the management team.

Mr Daniel Okpetsagha, PG, Ugborhen Community in Sapele Local Government Area, read the statement on behalf of the people, which also included over 3,500 employees of Tantita and community representatives.

Okpetsagha described the alleged publication by the PG of the apex Urhobo socio-cultural body as misleading and one that does not represent the interest of the entire Urhobo.

According to him, at the moment, Tantita employs over 3,500 Urhobo people across 88 communities in 16 Urhobo kingdoms, which has invariably made the company the highest employer of labour in Urhobo land.

He said that publication was against the objectives of the UPU, which focused on fostering the spirit of unity, mutual understanding and brotherhood among Urhobo people and good neighbourliness with the non-Urhobo people.

“It is shocking to us as Urhobos and Presidents-General of various Urhobo communities to find a letter from the office of the UPU President-General, seeking to promote division and hatred against non-Urhobo people.

“On July 5, 2025, we woke up to a publication in the Vanguard newspapers where the President-General of UPU Worldwide, Chief Ese Owe, made a statement that the Urhobos reject the continued operations of the Tantita.

“Currently, Tantita employs more than 3,500 Urhobo indigenes covering 88 Urhobo communities in 16 Urhobo Kingdoms, and this feat has made the company the highest employer of labour in Urhobo land,” they read.

The people said that every single kilometre of pipeline traversing Urhobo land was fully protected by Urhobo indigenes in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

They added that every community in Urhobo land had been given slots as operatives and coordinators and are responsible for the safekeeping of the pipelines in their respective domain.

They averred that anyone familiar with Tantita’s operations should know that all oil-bearing communities participate directly in securing facilities within their territories.

“Tantita did not win the contract for pipeline surveillance based on ethnic considerations but on competence and capacity; this capacity has been demonstrated throughout the length and breadth of her operations,” they said.

They, however, urged Nigerians to understand that the alleged publication did not represent the collective interest of the Urhobo people and therefore, should be disregarded.