By Francis Sadhere, Warri

In recognition of its outstanding efforts to stabilize and increase Nigeria’s crude oil production, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) has been honored with the prestigious title of “Independent Security Company of the Year 2023” by Independent Newspapers.

The renowned publisher of Daily, Saturday, and Sunday Independent Newspapers commended Tantita for its leadership in combating crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region, a critical issue that has plagued the country’s oil industry for years.

The award will be officially presented to the private security firm during a grand ceremony scheduled to take place on May 4, 2024, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, Tantita has played a pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and contributing to the increase in the nation’s oil production.

During a special visit to Effurun in Uvwie, Delta State, the Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, personally delivered a letter of nomination and notification of the award to Tompolo. The Media Consultant to Chief Government Ekpemupolo, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, graciously accepted the recognition on behalf of Tantita.

Omanufeme, accompanied by other esteemed members of the Independent Newspapers Board of Editors, including Mr. Don Okere, Editor of Independent Newspapers, and Yemi Adebisi, Editor of Saturday Independent, praised Tantita for its exceptional contributions to enhancing the nation’s oil sector and lauded the unanimous decision to name the company as the Security Company of the Year.

Tantita Security Services Limited’s dedication to securing Nigeria’s oil resources and combatting illegal activities in the Niger Delta region has not gone unnoticed, as the company continues to set a high standard for excellence in the security industry.

The letter read, “The Board of Editors of Independent Newspapers writes to notify you that your company has been voted unanimously as independent Security Company of the Year 2023.

“The Award followed the diligent execution of the pipeline surveillance contract that has yielded impressive results including the arrest of rogue vessels operating within the Niger-Delta region.

“As a result, your activities, Nigeria’s oil production rose from 900,000 to 1.5 million barrels per day while weekly, loses fell from 4.8million to about 1.4million barrels.

“This award to TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited becomes even more compelling against the backdrop of the fact that in the year under review, data from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL) showed that the nation lost 120million barrels of crude to these economic vampires.

“The NNPCL must have realised that Nigeria would not survive losing another $12.6billion within a year in 2023, like it did in the prior year and TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited operatives did not disappoint as they discovered 295 illegal connections to the NNPC pipelines, many of which had been in sabotage operations for years.

“Your nomination as Independent Security Company of the year 2023 also took note of the fact that, TANTITA provides employment to a good number of the youth population in the Niger Delta in the fight against oil thieves.

“This nomination by Independent Bird of Editors is in line with the Philosophy of the award: Celebrating Trail blazers and exceptional Nigerians.

“The investiture is scheduled for Saturday,May 4,2024 at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.”

Responding, Dr. Bebenimibo, a mass communication scholar, thanked the media outfit for the award, stressing that Tantita would not rest on its oars in ensuring that oil theft is eradicated in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.