Oil theft: House of Reps commends Tompolo, partners Tantita, others
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The House Representatives says it will partner the Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) and other private security outfits contracted by the federal government to safeguard the nation’s oil assets.
Rep. Alhassan Doguwa, Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Special Committee on Oil Theft gave the assurance at the weekend in Oporoza, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
Doguwa led 25 other members of the House of Representatives drawn from Seven House Committees on an on-the-spot inspection of MT KALI and MT HARBOR SPIRIT vessels impounded recently by TSSL in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He said that the Special Committee was constituted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas to specifically come and see for themselves the level of oil and gas and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The lawmaker who was elated also said that the green chamber would support the Nigerian military and other security agencies to protect the oil facilities.
“We were directed by the House leadership to assess the development in recent times and report back to parliament,” Doguwa said.
He commended High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, the owner of the TSSL, for the patriotism displayed by the private pipeline surveillance firm in the Niger Delta region.
“We came to have first-hand information of the happenings on the shores of the Oil and Gas industry in the Niger Delta region.
“We came to see for ourselves and we can visit the site of these two vessels and the suspects arrested onboard the ships on behalf of the National Assembly.
“Especially the House of Representatives and the relevant Committee Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee, I want to tell you that we are all out to see to the increased production of oil and gas in the country.
“We have seen a complete sense of determination and commitment on the part of the Nigeria security agencies and the private security outfit like the Tantita in the arrest of the two vessels, MT Kali and MT Harbor Spirit.
“We have seen the very good work done by Tantita. We have also seen the very good work being done by our security agencies: the Army, Navy, Police and the NSCDC. We have seen how they are working in synergy and doing their best.
“When you find someone doing a very good job you have to support him. To whom much is given is expected. So, I want to tell you without any fear of contradiction that what Tantita is doing here is quite a commendable job.
“We the committee have commended him and we must see to it that whatever is due for him must be given to him. On our part (NASS), we will continue to now create a better and enduring environment to see to the protection of oil assets. A situation where we are having an upsurge in the crude oil theft is no longer tolerated,” he said
Doguwa noted that the economy depends on oil, adding that the government would do everything possible to protect the oil assets to be able to meet up with the demands and projections, of the OPEC.
Recall that the two vessels were impounded by the operatives of the TSSL in collaboration with the officials of the NSCDC on separate occasions between January and February 2024 in Bayelsa.
The vessels were, however, conveyed to Oporoza, Warri South-West in Delta for anchorage while investigations continue.
The committee chairman urged the 16 suspects apprehended onboard the MT Habour Spirit to cooperate with the relevant authorities to aid the investigation.
According to him, the issues of oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other related crimes in the Niger Delta were a great concern to the National Assembly particularly to the House of Representatives Committee on Crude oil theft.
“We represent all of you here but there is nothing we can do, you just have to cooperate to prove your innocence,” he told the suspects.
The lawmakers had earlier in the day visited Tompolo and commended him for the great job his private security outfit was doing in securing the nation’s critical oil facilities.
“Tantita is one big company that has been doing well for the nation. We have seen how much Tantita, under the watch of High Chief Tompolo, has done in contributing to the nation’s increased oil output by safeguarding the national assets in the creeks thus making our livewire much more secure.
“It is in this regard, therefore, that the Committee would like to say a very big thank you to Tantita on behalf of the people of Nigeria and the House of Representatives in particular.
“We will continue to do the best we can in terms of partnership and collaboration with the nation’s security agencies including the private security organisations to see how we can promote the protection of our oil assets in all the oil-producing states,” he said.
In his remark, Capt. Warriedi Enisuoh, the Executive Director, Operations of TSSL told the lawmakers that the private security outfit was committed to ridding the nation of crude oil theft and sabotage.
“We are working in collaboration with the Nigeria security agencies to rid the nation of oil theft and increase her revenue base,” he said.
Also speaking, Brig.- Gen. Ugochukwu Unachukwu, the Commander, 63 Brigade, Sector 1, Task Force Commander, South-South, Operation Delta Safe affirmed the synergy between the military and private security operatives in the Niger Delta.
He warned oil thieves to desist from the illegality or face the full wrath of the law.
“Every patriotic Nigerian should know that the federal government needs every oil we have produced and the nation needs even the revenue that comes from the oil resources,” he said.
According to him, anyone who steals a gallon of oil is a “National Saboteur” noting that the federal government had resolved to stamp out crude oil theft in the country.
He said that investigation on the development would be pursued to a logical conclusion and declared that the vessels would be destroyed in line with the laid down rules of engagement as soon as the authority approves.
