High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, aka, Tompolo, chairman of the private firm, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), has vowed to increase production of crude oil to 2 million barrels per day for the country by putting more effort in the fight against oil theft, as he bagged Courage of Leadership Award in Nigeria at the Sun Newspaper Awards 2024.
The Sun Award Ceremony was held on Saturday, in Lagos.
Receiving the award, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, media consultant to Tantita Security Services, disclosed that Tantita is targeting a two million barrel per day output for the country, adding that the award would spur the company to work harder.
He expressed gratitude to the newspaper medium for recognizing their efforts and recalled that they had discovered a lot of points that illegal activities were done, adding that three vessels have been arrested as of this year.
His words, “Since the federal government asked Tantita Security Company, which High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo is the chairman to protect our oil facilities. He has been making waves of the job he has been doing, so this award didn’t come to us as a surprise.
“He has asked us to inform Nigerians that they should be rest assured that he will continue to do the job, and he is going to increase the barrels to 2 million per day.
“Tantita is not alone in carrying out this job. They’re doing this job with the Nigerian military, and the military is also doing their best. It has been in synergy between Tantita and the military and the civil defence as well. The synergy will continue by God’s grace. We will hit the mark that we have been clamouring for.
“We’ve discovered a lot of points that illegal activities were been done in the creek. Vessels were arrested, and just this year, we’ve arrested three of them. And we will continue to do the job. We are going to block all luckless, and nobody could be able to involve in the illegal activities.” He stated.
Earlier, the Managing Director (MD) of the Sun Newspaper, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, while presenting the award, commended Tompolo and his security firm that crude oil theft has reduced and Nigeria’s production has increased.
According to him, “In deciding who wins our award, it takes a lot of vigorous process. We examine all the pros and cons so that when we come out, we can defend any decision we’ve taken.
“Talking about Tompolo, he has done very well in curbing oil theft. Oil theft is a problem in Nigeria, and the government also knows that and says it. For the government to have confidence to say Tompolo, come and do this job, it’s something that is worth commending.
“So far, he has done well and the result is that oil theft has reduced, Nigeria’s production has increased, and that means more money for Nigeria.
“Yes, it’s for all Nigerians to support whatever that will curb oil theft. Because if it’s not curbed, the country will be bleeding, and when the country bleeds, we lose money, we lose resources, and we will be looking for money to do what we’re doing.
“So it’s for everyone to support whatever that will stop that theft in the oil sector.” He said.
On his part, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, who also bagged the ‘Most Impactful Royal Father of the Year’, confered royal blessings to Tompolo over the fight against oil theft, and promised to pray for him from the throne of Oduduwa.
“I want to use this medium to congratulate Government Tompolo for what he’s doing in terms of security, securing the pipelines and vandalization, and also theft of crude oil.
“It has increased to 1.6 million barrels now, from less than 700 to 800 thousand, but we’re imploring that they should do more and increase it to 2.6 to 3 million barrels so that the effect of dollar and the pressure of dollar will come down in Nigeria.
“We believe it can be done, and God will continue to be with them. Keep up the good work, and I will continue to wish you well from my throne of Oduduwa,” he said.
Chief Mulade Sheriff who spoke to our reporter on the sidelines, said it was not a surprising thing that Tompolo has bagging the award from the renowned newspaper across the nation.
“This is just the beginning. He’s a patriotic Nigerian. He has shown to Nigerians that he’s ready to help and salvage the economy of this country, and that’s why he went out of his way to ensure that all the illegal bunkering points in the Niger Delta region are nipped in the bud, and the government is reaping the proceed from this activities.
“I think he has done very well, and he deserves it,” Mulade added.
