The Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas, and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCONYCN) has commended the President of Nigeria, Senator Bola Tinubu, for ensuring the disbursement of over N200 billion to the Host Communities’ Development Trust Fund (HCDTF).
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on behalf of ex-agitators, environmental experts, socio-economic advocacy lawyers, young intellectuals, and CSOs from oil and gas-producing communities, the President of HOSTCONYCN, Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, stated that the gesture has improved infrastructure and socio-economic development in host communities.
Mr. Fiawei Pathfinder further explained that HOSTCONYCN, which was established to uphold, preserve, promote, and ensure the proper implementation of the 3% Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provision concerning the Host Communities’ Development Trust Fund (HCDTF), will continue to advocate for the protection of crude oil and gas resources.
Speaking further, he said, “Our goal is to engage with necessary authorities on the best way forward for the oil and gas-producing communities. We are the eyes, ears, heart, strength, and foot soldiers of these communities.
“And we insist that as very critical and fundamental stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, we must be involved and carried along in all PIA and HOSTCON matters. We commend the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, for his laudable transformation policies and reforms.
“We commend him for using his policies to restructure, reorganize, and sanitize the nation’s oil sector by strategically repositioning the upstream sector and for working closely with the host communities to ensure the inauguration of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) across oil-producing states and communities.
“We also applaud Engr. Gbenga Komolafe for his unwavering commitment and dedication to accountability, transparency, and the efficient utilization of natural resources to achieve the cardinal objectives of NUPRC, thereby ensuring effective productivity and service delivery for the betterment of our nation.
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“We further commend his proper implementation of the disbursement of the 3% fund as contained in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which goes directly to the host communities. He has successfully disbursed over N200 billion to the HCDT for infrastructure and socio-economic development in these communities.
“Therefore, we urge all stakeholders in the oil and gas communities to ensure the protection of oil pipelines and facilities in the region. We also encourage them to join hands with the NUPRC boss, Engr. Komolafe, to ensure sustainable development, stability, and the growth of oil production in the economy.
“At this juncture, the leadership of the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas, and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria expresses gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for re-awarding the Tantita Security Pipeline Surveillance Contract to secure the nation’s oil and gas assets.
“This has significantly increased the nation’s oil production output from 1.8 million barrels per day and is now nearing 2 million barrels daily, expected by December 2024. This progress is due to the laudable efforts and tireless sacrifices contributed by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
“We are hopeful that by January or February 2025, oil production output will increase to over 2.5 million barrels daily, ensuring economic stability for the nation.
“In this regard, we, the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas, and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria, hereby pass a vote of confidence on Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and the leadership of High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.
“The HOSTCON Youth Council fully supports the Managing Director and the management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited to continue their laudable work for the betterment of oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.
“We also commend the management of Tantita Security Services and salute the leadership of Engr. Mathew Tonlagha, the Executive Vice Chairman; the Managing Director, High Chief Engr. Keston Pondi; and the General Manager of Operations, Sir Godfrey Tare Pondi, for their unwavering commitment.
“Their dedication and tireless efforts have delivered exceptional successes, growing oil production output from 900,000 barrels in 2022 to 1.8 million barrels daily in 2024.
“We, therefore, appeal to Mr. President and the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Engr. Mele Kyari, to increase the funding for Tantita Security Services’ pipeline surveillance contract and expand its scope of coverage.”
Giving an account of Tantita’s successes, he said, “3,963 incidents of crude oil theft were captured on IMRA. Out of these numbers, 702 were illegal connection points, 971 were theft cases, 1,784 were illegal refinery cases involving the destruction of 3,063 facilities (some illegal refineries were in clusters, having more than one train), and 204 were cases of aversion/deterrent.
“In October 2022, 58 illegal tapping points were uncovered by crude oil bunkers in Delta and Bayelsa. Underwater illegal crude oil pipelines attached to the Trans Forcados Export Trunkline in Delta State, including an illegal 4-kilometer pipeline connected from the Trans Escravos line into the sea, were also discovered.
“Over 5,000 illegal connections were discovered on NNPCL pipelines. In some lines within 100 kilometers of pipelines, as many as 300 insertions were recorded. Tantita apprehended over 8 vessels, 4 tugboats, 6 barges, 117 vehicles, 52 tanker trucks, 47 fiber/speed boats, 7 tricycles/motorcycles, and 1,743 wooden boats involved in illegal operations.
“We strongly applaud President Bola Tinubu’s administration for having faith in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. We believe that even greater achievements will be made in 2025 as we, the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas, and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCONYCN), work closely with the leadership and management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited to ensure a greater impact.”