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Otuaro’s Urgent Plea: “Renew Pipeline Surveillance Contract for Tantita Security Services Ltd.” – Read His Powerful Letter to President Tinubu.
Otuaro’s Urgent Plea: “Renew Pipeline Surveillance Contract for Tantita Security Services Ltd.” – Read His Powerful Letter to President Tinubu.
By Admin.
The immediate past Deputy Governor, Dec. Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro has penned a highly compelling plea to President Tinubu, urging the renewal of Tantita Security Services Ltd’s pipeline surveillance contract. His letter carries significant weight in addressing this crucial matter, coming from a man who knows every twist and bend of the Oil Crisis in the Niger Delta.
IduwiniVoice recall that Otuaro championed the Anti-capitalism and Oil-theft campaign of Gov. Okowa across that state, which made Delta the highest Oil revenue earner in their 8 year tenure and still enduring.
Read full text of the powerful letter below:
AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, ON THE CAMPAIGNS FOR AND AGAINST THE RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACT FOR TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES LTD IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRUDE OIL THEFT, AND OIL PIPELINE VANDALISM IN THE NIGER DELTA
Through:
Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori,
The Governor,
Delta State,
Government House,
Asaba.
Dear Mr. President Sir,
A PLEA FOR THE RENEWAL OF CONTRACT FOR TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES LTD TO REINFORCE OUR CONFIDENCE IN YOUR MANTRA OF ‘RENEWED HOPE’ IN THE ECONOMY
Your Excellency Sir, the news media has been lately awash with calls on your office to consider the propriety or otherwise of the renewal of the contract for Tantita Security Services Limited, a company allegedly owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, contracted to secure national oil and gas assets and fight the thieving of crude oil with the NNPCL and Nigerian Security Agencies in the Niger Delta.
I am constrained to write this open letter to your office as the immediate past Deputy Governor of Delta State with substantial knowledge of the menace of crude oil theft and vandalism of its infrastructure on one hand, and as a native of Okerenkoko and Obotobo Communities in Warri South West and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State that are amongst other communities, the host to the trans-Escravos pipeline and the 200km trans-Forcados pipeline, respectively.
The latter is the second largest pipeline in the Niger Delta Region that evacuates crude oil from the Western Delta to the Forcados oil export terminal with an export capacity of 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day. I am worried because Nigeria undoubtedly is a mono-economy that is majorly reliant on crude oil and gas receipts.
Our national and sub-national governments’ budgets, almost always have been tripodal on crude oil and gas sales, tax receipts that are inextricably linked to the oil and gas subsidiary investments, and external and internal borrowings.
Thus, any shock in the sector, whether man-made or natural cause, adversely impacts the economy. This is the more reason the Presidency must be circumspect, and cannot afford to make an error of judgment in the ongoing campaign of calumny and divisiveness against the partners in progress; Tantita Security Services Ltd, the NNPCL and the Nigerian Navy, in their patriotic fight against the syndicated criminal activities of crude oil theft and vandalism of its infrastructure.
After all, it is a notorious fact that the fight against the menace of oil theft, and the destruction of national oil and gas assets has already made tremendous progress. If so, why the ridiculous and untenable ‘hue and cry’ to change a winning team?
It is important that our budding confidence in your mantra of ‘Renewed Hope’ should be kept alive as the economically impoverished citizenry battles for survival amidst the hardship occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.
The aftermath of the 2015 general election which brought in your predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari into office witnessed unprecedented and successive breaches of critical oil and gas facilities including the famous trans-Forcados delivery pipeline on the 27th May 2016, and that amongst other factors accounted for the country being plunged into recessionary times as there was a drastic drop in crude oil production and a dip in its price in the international market to an all-time low 24 dollars per barrel.
Responsively, the then Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led government of Delta State constituted the Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Oil Assets Destruction and I became Chairman of the committee. No sooner was the inauguration of the committee, we hit the creeks of the oil-producing communities by embarking on aggressive advocacy campaigns against oil assets destruction.
The Committee went to the oil-producing communities in the Benin River and its tributaries that opened up into some communities in Edo and Ondo states. We traversed the oil-producing communities along the famous Escravos and Forcados Rivers in Delta state and further down to the oil-producing communities at the Delta and Bayelsa fringes of the Ramos River.
Your Excellency, the Presidency invited me to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to help articulate the issues underscoring the resurgence of violent attacks on national oil and gas assets as well as producing a blueprint for a Presidential visit to states in the Niger Delta.
I was further co-opted as an individual from the Niger Delta States to attend the Inter-Ministerial Committee meetings on the Niger Delta headed by the former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo. The government saddled the Committee with the avowed responsibility of addressing topical issues concerning the Niger Delta such as the then ongoing unrest in the region, the Ogoni clean-up, and the Nigerian Maritime Okerenkoko, to mention but a few.
Your Excellency, it suffices to say that I was in no small measure involved in working out the details and itinerary of the Presidential visit to the various states in the region headed by the former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo and assisted by the former Minister for State Petroleum, and former Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu. It began on the 16th of January, 2017 in Delta State, and in other states in the region.
It is very important to state currently, that one of the conscientious outcomes of the Presidential visit to the region was the procurement of the services of the Tantita Security Services Limited to partner with the Nigerian Navy and NNPCL to intensify the fight against crude oil theft and secure national oil and gas assets from destruction.
Having the capability and profound understanding to handle the complexities and sophistication that characterize the syndicated criminal activities of oil theft, oil assets vandalism, and mitigation of environmental despoliation in the region, Tantita Security Services Limited is a square peg in a square hole.
Please accept the assurances of my highest regard.
Yours sincerely,
Dcn. Kingsley Otuaro Esq.
Immediate Past Deputy Governor of Delta State.
By Favour Bibaikefie
At Enekorogha Grammar School in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria-an oil-rich state known for federal wealth-the condition education paints a deeply disturbing picture.
Students at school secondary school were recently captured writing their second-term exams while seated on the bare floor. Some leaned against broken concrete blocks-no desks, no chairs, and no proper classrooms in sight. Teachers also struggle without offices or basic teaching tools, working unde appalling conditions.
Founded in the early 1980s, the school has barely received any attention from the government since it’s establishment. Instead of being maintained or upgraded, most of its current structures were either community-built or donated by concerned individuals. The school lacks perimeter fencing, which leaves students and teachers vulnerable, while reptiles roam freely around the premises.
When journalists sought a reaction from the Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, she refused to comment-even when approached in her office-raising serious concerns about the state government’s accountability.
According to Mr. Peter Ganagana, the Chairman of the Enekorogha Education committee, the Delta State government has never contributed a single building to the school. “The only six-classroom bock was built by a private individual,” he explained. “Other parts were put together by the community with little resources. Yet, over 80% of our students don’t have desks to sit on.”
Despite now having a students population of over 350, the school one has six government appointed teachers and one principal. To make up for the shortfall, local residents pay stipends to volunteer teachers who are helping to keep Education going in the face of government abandonment.
“The students are writing their second-term exams now” Mr. Ganagana noted, “and many are doing so sitting on the floor. The only desks in the school were donated by a kind old student-just 50 in total. That’s all we have.”
Multiple appeals and complaints have been sent to both the Post-primary Education Board and the Ministry of Education, but so far, there has been no meaningful response. Officials have visited for inspection, but their words have led to no real change.
The buildings themselves are in a dangerous state-ceilings are falling in, roofs have been blown off, windows and doors are missing, and some classrooms can no longer be used at all. That such a learning environment exists in a state with massive federal allocations and oil revenue is nothing short of disgraceful.
Attempts to contact the principal were unsuccessful, as his phone remained switched off. Teachers also declined to comment, citing restrictions on speaking to the press.
This situation is a devastating indictment of the Delta State Governor and government’s priorities. In a state blessed with immense natural wealth, children who eager to learn are being denied even the most basic conditions for education. It is not only a betrayal of their rights- it is a failure of leadership.
The silence from the officials, especially from those tasked with overseeing Education, is both telling and unacceptable. The government must act urgently. The lives and future of these students should not continue to be disregarded because of negligence and bureaucratic indifference.
Source: Golden Nation Multimedia
News
28,000bpd Ogidigben Oilfield Shutdown by Itsekiri Youth, Under PINL Not Tantita’s Coverage – Tompolo
By Divine Perezide
High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has disassociated his company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, from the recent protest and shutdown of an oil facility in Warri, Delta State.
Speaking through his media aide, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo PhD., Tompolo clarified that the affected oil field, located in Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area, does not fall within Tantita’s jurisdiction. He stressed that the facility is under the protection of another security firm, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), which is owned by the Olu of Warri.
“It is not only Tantita that is doing the security job. The Olu of Itsekiri’s company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, is also covering that area,” Bebenimibo explained. He further stated, “The Ogidigben oil field is not under our watch but under Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), a firm linked to the Olu of Itsekiri.”
The facility, currently operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings following its acquisition from Shell, reportedly produces around 28,000 barrels of oil per day. It was shut down on Wednesday by aggrieved members of the Itsekiri community. The protesters, who carried placards, voiced their dissatisfaction over alleged marginalisation in ward delineation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In response to the incident, Bebenimibo emphasized that the protest and the shutdown had no connection to Tompolo or Tantita. “Nobody dares Tantita. The issue has nothing to do with Tantita and Tompolo,” he stated firmly.
The protest remained peaceful, but it successfully brought operations at the facility to a standstill, underlining ongoing tensions related to political representation in the region.
News
“Peace is the Panacea for Development” Dr. Takeme Said as He Inaugurates Burutu Peace and Advocacy Committee
By Favour Bibaikefie
In a bid to strengthen harmony and peaceful coexistence within Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Council Chairman Dr. Julius Takeme on Tuesday formally inaugurated a 23-member Peace Building and Advocacy Committee.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the council secretariat in Burutu, marked a significant step toward fulfilling the chairman’s campaign promises, particularly on conflict resolution and community engagement. The committee, chaired by retired Justice J.F. Daubry, comprises individuals described by Dr. Takeme as “men and women of integrity,” selected for their reputation and dedication to peaceful service.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Takeme outlined the committee’s core responsibilities, which include mediating disputes among individuals, groups, and communities to maintain the prevailing peace in the area. “Your responsibility includes the amicable settlement of disputes between individuals, groups and communities. Please, do your very best to meditate diligently,” he said.
Chief Fidelis Tubotu was appointed Secretary of the committee, while members include Apostle Godsflag Agboun, Chief October Kuro-Ogu, Gen. Brodrick Demeyeibo, Chief Elimina Namah Eselemo, Chief James Nicketen, Barr. B.D. Ekpese, Barr. Torugbene Oloye, Chief Patrick Fufeyin, Chief Gabriel Benede, Chief Lucky Yoweibo, and Dr. (Mrs.) Jennet Abdullahi.
Additional members are Chief Dauyeibo Kitua, Chief Apiakise Apiakise Coleman, Barr. Isa Clark, Hon. Gift Gomeromo, Prince Peter Numa, Chief Torololo Love, Chief Clement Kęmetimibibo, Chief (Mrs.) Ter Okpe, Chief Pukon Samson Eles, Chief Douglas T.M.O, and Chief Fidelis Tubotu.
Dr. Takeme reiterated his administration’s intention to mirror Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s “More Agenda” through proactive peace initiatives and conflict resolution efforts. “We promised to replicate Gov. Oborevwori’s More Agenda in Burutu, and one of our targets is to resolve as many lingering inter and intra-communal disputes. We believe in your individual and collective capabilities to help this government deliver on this promise,” he said.
He further noted, “We want to make Burutu a reflection of Oborevwori’s good governance that has rendered even the main opposition parties speechless.”
The council chairman encouraged committee members to remain upright and committed, emphasizing the importance of including the local chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in their peacebuilding activities. According to him, “CAN is pivotal to peace building.”
In his response on behalf of the committee, Justice Daubry expressed gratitude for the trust placed in them and pledged their unwavering commitment. “We will not disappoint the council,” he assured.
The event was attended by council executive members including Vice Chairman Chief (Mrs.) Georgina Evah; Supervisor for Education, Hon. Okpako Doctor; Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Immaculate Birialade; Supervisor for Environment, Hon. Godwin Oro; and Supervisor for Works, Hon. Pudigha Biakpara. Traditional rulers from various communities across the local government were also present, further highlighting the importance of the initiative.