Oil theft: Reps laud Tompolo’s engagement in facilities’ security

A delegation from the House of Representatives has lauded the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited over its partnership with Tantita Security Services Ltd, a firm owned by ex-militant, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, (Tompolo) for the protection of offshore oil facilities in the Niger Delta region. 

The Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Peter Akpatason, who led the lawmakers’ delegation alongside the chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Musa Sarkin-Adar, on a three-day oversight function to the creeks/riverine areas of Delta State, said the partnership with non-state actors in the oil producing region led to an increase in the volume of crude oil production.

Speaking during the visit, Akpatason said their mission was to evaluate the situation in the region to be able to make legislative interventions towards addressing the issues in order to enhance the capacity of the country to produce and sell oil. 

“In the course of this journey, we have visited different sites, including oil production facilities, pipelines, well-heads and flow stations. As a result of the recent partnership between Tantita, your company and the NNPC, we have seen significant improvement in the ability of this country to produce hydrocarbon, which basically is the major foreign earnings for this country.

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“As concerned citizens, we believe that whatever can be done to ensure improvement in the country’s capacity to earn income for funding development and reducing borrowing, which has become a thing of concern to many Nigerians, must be supported,” he said.

Akpatason, who applauded the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies for their efforts in safeguarding oil facilities in the area, tasked all stakeholders on the need to desist from destruction of boats and other seized items. 

In his remarks, the chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (upstream), Musa Sarkin-Adar, said the existing cooperation will help in overcoming various challenges of oil theft in the oil industry, especially in the Niger Delta region of the country.

Tompolo, who briefed the delegation on the ongoing efforts to ensure security of oil facilities, urged the lawmakers to come up with necessary legislative instruments and policies that would sustain the gains recorded so far.