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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Elders and youths from the six states of the Niger Delta region have faulted the claims by the private oil pipelines security provider, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) that it impounded an ocean-going vessel laden with stolen crude oil in Bayelsa state.
TSSL had over the weekend claimed that it impounded an ocean-going vessel laden with stolen crude oil in Bayelsa state.
According to the company, the crew and their local accomplices were siphoning crude oil into the vessel from offshore Sokebolou field in Bayelsa state and that the vessel had already loaded with an unspecified thousands of metric tonnes of crude oil, was named MT Kally.
However, elders and youths from the region under the aegis of the Movement for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta, MSDND, the claims by TSSL is shrouded in lies and deceit aimed at manipulating the Federal Government to hand over the Bayelsa corridor to his company to manage the multi-million-dollar Crude Oil and Gas Pipeline Surveillance contract.
MSDND in a statement by its national coordinator, Chief Ayebatekena Olodi noted that following publications based on the position of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on the need to decentralise the contract across the Niger Delta region, TSSL have become desperate with outlandish claims.
‘’There is no place known as “offshore Sokebolou field” in Bayelsa state. Every oil station, field, block or oil well has its name mapped out and a simple google search will reveal that there is no such place as “offshore Sokebolou field” and that the seizure and towing of the purportedly seized vessel to Gbaramatu is very convenient for the private security company to fabricate lies in order to manipulate public opinion,’’ he said.
Olodi stated that rather follow the legally required protocol the security company has resorted to making unfounded claims and taking over the responsibilities of the anti-corruption agencies in the bid to hoodwink the Federal Government, the National Security Officer (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the board and management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to renew his contract as sole security contractor of the crude oil pipeline in the region.
“Instead of resorting to unconfirmed and unverifiable stunts, the security company should answer questions raised by the Nigerian Navy on the numerous arrests of Tantita operatives allegedly involved in crude oil theft which has dent its credibility and mode of operations in the region” Olodi added.
