Niger Delta youths ask Tinubu to expand Tantita operations on waterways

The Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas, and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCONYCN) says President Bola Tinubu should expand the operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) on waterways.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Emmanuel Pathfinder, national president of HOSTCONYCN, said expanding the operations will help to reduce oil theft and sabotage.

The council, comprising former Niger Delta agitators, environmental experts, socio-economic advocates, and civil society representatives, also called for increased fairness, inclusiveness, and justice for oil-producing communities.

“The Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas, and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCONYCN) makes a firm declaration by unanimously passing a vote of confidence on the chairman of the Tantita Security Company, High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo A.K.A. Tompolo, and its vice-chairman, Engr. Matthew Tonlagha,” Pathfinder said.

“And also commend the managing director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief. Engr. Kestin Pondi, FNSE, over the tireless efforts and sleepless nights in making sure that the nation’s crude oil output massively increased from 900,000 barrels to now 1.8 million barrels to two million barrels daily.

“We, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to Mr. President and the group chief executive officer of NNPC, Engr. Mele Kyari, to increase the funding of Tantita Security Services pipeline surveillance contract job and to expand its scope of coverage by mandating it to carry out supervision and monitoring and include revenue collections from the vessels operating in Nigerian territorial waters in order to drastically reduce the sabotage of oil theft activities being carried out by most of these foreign vessels operating in our Nigerian waterways.”

Pathfinder also highlighted the firm’s role in saving Nigeria over $43.2 million daily and attracting foreign investments, leading to significant economic growth.

He applauded the president for awarding the pipeline surveillance contract to Tantita Security, noting that the outfit arrested eight vessels, four tugboats, six barges, 117 vehicles, 52 tankers, 47 fibre speedboats, seven tricycles, and 1,743 wooden boats involved in operations.