Tantita Demands More Collaboration From Heads Of Security In Niger Delta For Increased Oil Production

Oghenenyerhovwo Ohwotemu, Effurun

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) has called for more cooperation, collaboration from all heads of security agencies operating in the Niger Delta region with a view to raise the bar of oil production to the target of 2.5milliom barrels per day(mbpd)set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This appeal was made by Engr. Kestin Pondi, Managing Director, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL)at Tantita headquarters in Effurun near Warri during a visit of Rear Admiral Neol. M. Madugu, Commander, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) and his team on tour of the region.

Engr. Pondi boasted that since their operation, crude oil production has surged forward, which ultimately leading for improved financial earnings for the Country, cleaner environment to the envy of all as well as resumption of fishing activities by the locals.

According to Engr. Pondi, , “since we assumed this responsibility of safeguarding oil infrastructures, you are the first Commander to visit us, it is indeed a remarkable thing. It is worthy of note because this is going to mark a new dawn, a new era for us.

“As you already know, we have the responsibility to secure oil pipelines also to prevent illegal refining and chief of all is to ensure that production goes to where Nigeria needs it. This moment, we are still not where we want, we are still behind, but then we have also made a lot of gains.

“So, before we commenced securing the oil facilities, it was a terrible situation for the Niger Delta region as the environment were greatly degraded. Some of our men shed their blood. Crude oil production then was very low, about 700million to 800 million barrels per day, it was a very terrible and pathetic situation.

“Our environment was so bad that we couldn’t even fish in the inner waters. We breathe in these black soot every time. As a traditional Chief, I dare not wear my white native dress when going to the Kingdom because soot will turn the whole dress to an eye sore to behold and you find out that if you wipe your nose or face with tissue paper or white handkerchief, it turns black. That was how the situation was terrible, so I can tell you that today, it is different.

“ Our approach was that we try to tackle the problem holistically, fight it from all fronts, the demand front, the supplier front, and we, to an appreciable extent, employ carrot and stick tactics. But then we’re happy that with the collaboration between us and the DSS, the Police, the Army, the JTF, the Civil Defence Corps and the Navy is yielding results.

“Sir, when we started, tankers were carrying products freely. The land tankers, they were carrying product freely. But as we speak now, they have employed so many different means to carry their products, and we still apprehend them. That approach by the then CDS, retired now employed, whereby equipments such as tankers, vessels, tug boats etc used for illegal activities are destroyed yielded results, it was effective as destruction of properties serves as deterrence.

“It means that if you invest in one, if you buy one tanker today and it is destroyed, you will buy another one and tomorrow it is destroyed, you will not want to put money into that business again. The same applies to the illegal refineries. If you build it today, they destroy it. Tomorrow, you build it, destroy it. Next morning, destroy it. You have to stop because you are wasting and losing money.

“It’s difficult without you. We can’t do this alone, our people are shot at almost every now and then. We have also lost people, the military has also lost people, the Civil Defence has also lost people in the fight against these illegal activities to get here. Many people have shed their blood to get to where we had to be, and if not, because we have this collaboration with the Security, I don’t think that we will be able to stand to face these people.

“And so this collaboration is something that cannot be overemphasized. We need it now. We need it yesterday. We need it tomorrow, and we’re always going to move it to up to ensure that Nigeria gets better production than we are today. I want to once again. Thank you very much.

Responding, Rear Admiral Noel M. Madugu said, “my area of responsibility, includes Tantita and all other private surveillance companies, or contractors, as they are called, because I have a mandate, and I believe the mandate is a mandate that Tantita, other security agencies should help move crude oil production in Nigeria to step up.

“The mandate is 2.5 to 3 million barrels per day, and we cannot achieve that without synergy and collaboration with all the agencies involved. That’s why I decided to go around to meet all stakeholders in that we must achieve the mandate given by the President of this country.

“And I’m happy to state that so far, with the collaboration and relationship I’m having with both communities, the surveillance contractors and other security agencies is excellent. So I believe by the end of this year, 2025 that 2.5 or more will be achieved.

“So with your collaboration, what I want you to do is to carry the communities along, wherever you are operating, carry everybody along and sensitization is very key. Let the people know what you are doing and why you are there. Apart from that, you must do Corporate Social Responsibility.

“The more crude oil the country has, the better for all of us. That means more revenue for Nigeria and with the derivation policy, 13% to all states it means more funds will come to the communities and more development. So I think it is better for all of us to work together to achieve our end. Thank you very much.”

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