Following the arrest of thieving vessels MT KALI and MT Harbour Spirit by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. (TSSNL) in three weeks, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Training Funds), RT. Honourable Thomas Ereyitomi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to extend and expand the firm’s contract and scope of operation in the waterways.
Chief Ereyitomi, who’s the Akatigbi Ayeola of Warri Kingdom, Delta State, made the call on Thursday in an open letter personally signed and forwarded to President Tinubu, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Warri.
He said this would enable the security outfit to further reduce oil theft through continued collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies.
The letter read in part: “Your Excellency, this open letter is a follow-up to the one I sent to you on August 30, 2023. It is on the same subject matter as pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta.
“In the first letter, I reviewed the sterling performance of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), one of the private security companies hired by the Federal Government for surveillance of oil pipelines.
“I made it known to Mr President that Tantita holds the revered position of primus inter pares amongst security firms engaged by the federal authorities to provide surveillance for pipelines in the Niger Delta and that the company’s contract should be renewed to encourage its management for better future performance.
“Since my letter was published, which I believe was brought to your attention, the NNPCL has procrastinated for six (six) months over the Tantita contract renewal.
“This is unfair. What is to be done should be done well and quickly, too. The delay in action is not good.
“As you are aware, Mr President, crude oil daily production has kept improving. It shows some people work day and night to ensure a turnaround, and those responsible for the feat must be encouraged by the government.
“Recent events and developments made me want to contact you again on the same matter.
“You may wonder why I keep drumming up support for Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. I wonder whether I am their special-purpose advertising vehicle or the company’s megaphone.
“Well, I am none of that. I do what I am doing to inform Mr President and the relevant authorities of the firm’s commitment to duty and how it has restored oil production in areas where it has not been produced for years.
“The Presidency under Muhammadu Buhari had the genius to recognise the potential of Tomoplo and his Tantita outfit. The company has done well in the protection of pipelines and other federal government oil assets in the Niger Delta.
“Crude production has risen steadily over time, oscillating between 1.4 and 1.6 million barrels per day, from a pittance of 650 thousand barrels before the intervention by Tantita.
“Operatives of Tantita Security, working in a collaborative synergy with a detachment of the government special task force set up by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, recently launched an unending, ruthless, and relentless, well-synchronised siege on unrepentant criminals and oil thieves in the Niger Delta. So far, the results have been very encouraging.
“In the last three weeks, two heavy-duty oil bunkering vessels, MT Kali and MT Harbour Spirit, both with the capacity to lift hundreds of thousands of tonnes of crude oil, were intercepted and apprehended during the joint operations of Tantita and Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla special forces. The two arrests signal a new threshold for potential gains in the marriage of the Nigerian Navy and Tantita.
“This is a major win in the battle to rid the nation’s waterways of oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
“These efforts by Tantita are commendable. The company remains resolute against many odds. It is still delivering, raising the hope that there is a silver lining in the sky for the nation’s economy.
“Tantita is dug in the trench in readiness for battle against the criminals. It has secured Delta State. It is currently working around the clock to sanitise the Bayelsa terrain.
“Hence, I once again approach Mr. President to ask that Tantita’s contract be renewed to prop up the morale of its operators.
“Most importantly, I ask that the scope of Tantita’s contract be expanded to areas considered problematic and require special attention and sanitisation.
“Our people say that when it is good for the soil, it will also be good for the yam,” the Itsekiri-born lawmaker pleaded.
While urging President Tinubu to extend and expand the scope of Tantita’s operation to the deep sea and blue waters, where the notorious oil buccaneers mostly perfect their illicit trade unhindered, the Reps member affirmed that the interest of the Niger Delta is paramount to him with no personal interest or gain attached.
Ereyitomi further urged President Tinubu to “impress it on the management of the NNPCL to quickly assent to the renewal of Tantita’s expanded contract.”