Tantita bags Vanguard Crude Oil Infrastructure Security award

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), has received the Vanguard Crude Oil Infrastructure Security award of the year 2023.

The private security outfit is owned by High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, aka, Tompolo.

The event held on Friday night at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The Vanguard award was an honour given to distinguished Nigerians who have excelled in their chosen endeavours.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari, worried by the dwindling crude oil production output during the twilight of his administration decided to award the pipeline surveillance contract to TSSNL in 2022.

Prior to the development, reports by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) reports indicated losses of 42.248 million barrels ($2.772 billion) in 2019 and 53.056 million barrels ($2.21billion) in 2020.

However, since the coming on board of the TSSNL, Nigeria’s crude oil production output has risen tremendously.

Based on the performance of the company, President Bola Tinubu was also encouraged to renew the contract.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, who received the award on behalf of the TSSNL said that the award would spur the company to achieve greater feats.

Bebenimibo, Media consultant Consultant to Tompolo reemphasizes the Tantita’s desire to attain Two million barrels per day.

He added that the flurry of awards would encourage the company to continue to do it’s best to attain or even surpass the target.

“We are elated and it’s a call to service, we are poised to do our best to sanitising the crude oil industry.

“In fact, our message has always been that illegal bunkerers and those that are involved  in  such activity should steer clear.

“They don’t have any place to hide and Tantita will come after them and make sure our production gets to the pick and generate more money for the country,” Bebenimibo said.

In his remark, former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke said that the TSSNL had impacted greatly in the nation’s crude oil production.

“Anybody who can bring value to our society is commendable.

“I have spoken to some old executives, Shell and others, and they appreciated Tantita’s work. I was told that production has gone up as a result of its work,” Duke said.

Speaking on the sideline, former President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinick reiterated the essence of recognising the achievements of Tompolo and the TSSNL in bringing stability to the Niger Delta region.

“Every Niger Deltan is very proud of what Tantita is doing. Basically, It’s coming into the security industry, has helped to secure Nigeria’s oil installations.

“It has been a game changer and the Federal Government, and everybody acknowledged that,” Pinnick said.

Earlier, in his address of welcome Editor of the Vanguard Newspapers, Eze Anaba said, the awardee’s contributions have not only advanced their field, but also inspired and uplifted those around them.