A delegation from the House of Representatives has expressed delight over the existing partnership between Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited and non-State actors in ensuring security in facilities in the oil producing region of the country, which has resulted in an increase in the volume of crude oil production.
The Delegation commended the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Navy and Tantita Security Service Nigeria Ltd.
Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Peter Akpatason who led the delegation alongside the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Musa Sarkin-Adar, made the call during a 3-day oversight function to the Creeks/Riverine areas of Delta State, southern Nigeria.
While acknowledging the successes recorded in crude oil production sequel to the signing of the pipeline surveillance contract with Tantita Security Services Limited, the team stressed the need for government to look into offshore oil theft.
“Our mission is to evaluate the situation and also to be able to make contribution in legislative terms towards ameliorating the situation and in this case the Niger Delta in particular towards enhancing the capacity of this nation to produce and sell oil. To be able to fund the budget and to promote development of both human capital and infrastructure of this country.
“In the course of this journey, we have visited different sites, including oil production facilities, pipelines, well-heads and flow stations. As a result of the recent partnership between Tantita, your company and NNPC, we have seen significant improvement in the ability of this country to produce hydrocarbon which basically is the major foreign earning for this country.
“As concerned citizens, we believe whatever that can be done to ensure improvement in the nation’s capacity to earn income for funding development, and reducing borrowing which has become a thing of concern to many Nigerians, that effort must be supported.
However, he said more needs to be done.
“But there is still more to be done if we can achieve currently what we are experiencing in this area, also in the offshore, Nigeria will have no reason to borrow money to fund budget and to borrow money to fund projects that we so dearly need as a nation.
“So, we appreciate you for that, and we have also seen how much work that is taking place in those areas that we have transverse in the cause of our journey to this place and our interactions with members of these communities, showed that they are currently enjoying a very reasonable amount of stability as a result of the improved security situation.
“Some of the community people told us how free they feel to go about their fishing activities. It tells us that when the local people are given the mandate to gather information and support the security forces, and also help combat crime in their locality, it goes a long way to solve the problem.
“So, every effort that has been made and being made towards ensuring improved security to us, is a thing that must be appreciated and must be supported. So in any which way that we can achieve this, we will continue to support,” he pledged.
Government Assets
While applauding efforts being made by the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in the bid to safeguard oil facilities in the area, Hon. Akpatason also tasked the stakeholders on the need to desist from destruction of boats and other seized items, and proposed that such items should be integrated into the government assets.
The 24-man delegation included: Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, Hon. Julius Pondi, Hon. Sergius Ogun, Hon. Boma Goodhead among others
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Tantita security service Nigeria Ltd, Mr Ekpemupolo, who briefed the delegation on the ongoing efforts to ensure security of oil facilities as well as harmony within the oil producing communities, urged the lawmakers to come up with necessary legislative instruments and policies that will sustain the gains recorded so far.
While giving insight to the oversight function, a member representing Burutu Federal Constituency of Delta State, Julius Pondi, expressed satisfaction over the results achieved so far in the oil producing communities across the Niger Delta region.
Cost of Living
On the cost of living in the oil producing communities, Hon. Pondi said: “I can tell you that in my constituency, it is still among the few, maybe one or two that are yet to be linked by road. The cost of living is almost times three.
In his remarks, Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Musa Sarkin-Adar affirmed that the existing “cooperation will help in overcoming various challenges of oil theft in the industry especially in the part of the country.
“And most especially the way he spoke to us by enumerating the challenges he’s been facing which we have all listed and we are going to work with it and come up with some solutions on how to improve what he has started.
“And I will like to use this opportunity to call on him, to sustain what he has started recording success.”
To this end, he urged him to justify the confidence reposed in him by authorities of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited who awarded the contract for security of oil pipelines across the Niger Delta region.
