Group: Opposition to Renewal of Tompolo’s Contract  Sponsored by Crude Oil Thieves

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC), an oil monitoring group, has alleged that those against the renewal of Tantita Security Services operated by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), were sponsored by cabals behind crude oil theft

NDIMRC, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to renew the pipelines surveillance contract to Tompolo for the benefit of the country, advising that no effort should be spared by the federal government in collaborating with the former militant leader in the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure and securing permanent peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

While noting that the oil from the Niger Delta region remains the mainstay of the country’s economy, the group implored the president not to listen to mischief makers who “were not happy with the way Tompolo has handled the issue of oil bunkering in the region since he was awarded the contract by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The group in the statement issued yesterday and signed by its President, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor, and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Stanley Mukoro, acknowledged that Tompolo has helped Nigeria greatly since he was awarded the pipeline surveillance contract, describing him as a man of peace who wants the best always for the country and the people, but being fought by unpatriotic elements in the country who are bent on crippling its economy through crude oil theft.

According to them, “We want to commend President Tinubu for the good things he is doing for the country, but we want to appeal to him not to listen to mischief makers and enemies of our country who are waging unnecessary war against Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) who has been able to put those stealing our oil under check.

“They are out fighting a good man for nothing, but for their selfish interest. These people are bent on crippling the economy at a time your government is looking for money to meet the needs of Nigerians, and to fix the country.

“These mischief makers and enemies of the country have done everything possible to ensure that the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo is never renewed. We want to let the president and the world to know that Tompolo means well for our country, and those kicking against the renewal of his pipeline surveillance contract are out to frustrate the efforts of a selfless man who is opposed to the selfish interests of a few against the general interests of the country and the people.

“Our investigation revealed that some disgruntled ex-militants who are opposed to the contract awarded to Tompolo by President Buhari are working hand in hand with those stealing our oil and they have vowed to ensure that the pipeline contract to Tompolo is not renewed.

Mr. President, these people do not mean well for your administration and the Nigerian people, and we are pleading with you not to listen to them, but go ahead and renew the contract for Tompolo. Those protesting against the renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract are beneficiaries of those stealing our crude oil. They should be investigated properly.

“As an independent oil monitoring group in the Niger Delta region, we are very pleased with the way and manner Tompolo has helped to beat oil bunkerers to their own game. Oil production has gone up and more money has been generated by the federal government, thanks to the relentless efforts of Tompolo, a peace advocate in the Niger Delta region and this is why we are very concerned about the renewal of his contract by the federal government  in the interest of our dear country.”

While imploring the federal government to collaborate with Ekpemupolo in the area of securing permanent peace in the Niger Delta region and increasing oil production, the group stated that: “Let it be known, Mr. President, that some of these agitators and faceless stakeholders are being sponsored by the oil bunkerers and hiding under the cover of the APC. Our president should not give these so-called agitators and their co-traveIlers that room to do whatever they want to do because they and their sponsors do not mean well for the country.”