By Our Correspondent, Warri
The House of Representatives Committee on Oil Theft has promised to support Tantita Security Services and other local security outfits contracted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to assist in surveillance of the nations oil assets.
The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ado Doguwa (APC-Kano State) made this known when they paid an on the spot visit to. Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, near Escravost where the Mordovia’s vessel, MT Harbor Spirit, with IMO No. 8226272, arrested by the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in collaboration with the Nigerian Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence in Bayelsa is behind anchored.
While commending Tantita for the good work it is doing so far Rep Doguwa who led the delegation of six other Committees, said the committee is ready to continue to sustain Tantita Security Services as long as it continues to do the good work it is doing in protecting the nations assets.
The lawmaker said, “When you find someone doing a very good job you have to support him. To whom much is given much is expected. So I want to tell you without any fear of contradiction what Tantita is doing here is a quite commendable job. We the committee have commended him and we must see to it that whatever is due for him must to be given to him.
He said the committee on crude oil theft came to see for themselves, what was actually happening around the shores of oil and gas industry in the Niger Delta, stressing that the house was concerned about the rise in crude oil prices.
“We are also not not unmindful of the fact that there was recent arrest of oil vessels first second and third instance by the security agencies generally around the shores of the waters within the Niger Delta area.
“So we came to see for ourselves and were able to visit the site of this arrested vessels and persons on behalf of National Assembly, especially in the House of Representatives. This is relevant to committee chairman of the oil and gas committees in the House of Representatives as we are all out to see to the increased production of our oil and gas industry,” he said.
He added that the visit has afforded them the opportunity to see a complete sense of determination and commitment by the Nigerian security agencies alongside with the support of private companies that has been doing well for the protection of the nations assets.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Operations, Tantita, Captain Warriedi Enisuoh, briefed the House of Rep Members on how the vessel was arrested.
Enisuoh, who took the House of Rep Members round the vessel said that the arrest would not have been possible without the support of the Nigerian security forces and Nigerian Civil Defense.
He said they have handed over the suspects to security agencies, adding that those who were marketing the ship for business must have been invited by security agencies.
Brig General U.V. Onachukwu, Commander 63 Brigade, and Commander Sector One Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe, said that his mandate was to protect critical national infrastructure including oil installation in the nation.
He noted that the joint task force has been in partnership with Tantita adding that arrested vessel was under his custody and after all investigation they are going to destroy the vessels.
“Nigerians know that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria needs every drop of oil that we can produce. Our nation need the revenue that is coming from this oil resources. So anybody doing anything to the contrary, even if you steal a gallon of oil, will be dealt with. Secondly, the federal government has resolved to stamp crude oil theft in is totality. The collaboration between Tantita security services and the armed forces of Nigeria to stamp out this crime,” Brig Onachukwu said.
The 26 House of Representatives members also had a private visit with High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo).
