Tejiri Ebikeme
National Chairman, Niger Delta Forum for Good Governance, Chief Col. Satchie Etoromi has carpeted those kicking against Pipeline Surveillance Contracts awarded to ex-militants by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), imploring them not to play politics with it.
Speaking in Warri, Delta State, Chief Col. Etoromi explained that Pipeline Surveillance was designed as a source of employment for ex-militants in the Amnesty given by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, saying at the initial take-off of the contract, pipeline vandalism was reduced and crude oil production rose astronomically.
He expressed surprise that some cynics kicked against the Pipeline Surveillance Contracts awarded ex-militants and failed to realize that apart from protecting the oil facility, they created jobs that kept the youths from the job market and kept their minds of social vices.
The Pipeline Surveillance Contract, he said, helped a great deal to protect pipeline from vandals and not designed to fan tribal interest but were meant to secure the length and size of the facility located in an area that is put under surveillance.
He described as ridiculous how cynics have politicized the award rather than eulogize its effectiveness in securing oil facility in the country, emphasizing that where there is a pipeline or oil facility in an area and a surveillance contract is awarded, the contractors must accept full responsibility for the security of the facility.
Col. Etoromi stated that there was nothing wrong in awarding the Pipeline Surveillance Contracts to ex-militants as they are Nigerians, adding that the late President Yar’ Adua did well by offering surveillance contracts that created job opportunities for them.
He said it was good that President Goodluck Jonathan has reviewed the policy of awarding Pipeline Surveillance Contract now that pipe vandalism has reached a new crescendo.
He warned that playing politics on this issue is NOT in the best interest of the nation emphasizing that the contracts should be awarded to only efficient and capable hands.
