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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources has rejected calls for the decentralization of the contract for the surveillance of oil pipelines in the Niger Delta region.
Members of the Joint committee, at a Roundtable Dialogue on Pipeline Security, held on Wednesday, at the House of Representatives wing, expressed confidence in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, for its efforts in securing the pipelines and other critical national infrastructure.
The Joint Committee, at the session, which was attended by members of all the petroleum related committees, in the two chambers, alongside top security officials and key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, commended Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, for its efforts in curbing oil theft.
Recently, there have been agitations for the splitting of the Pipeline Surveillance job, which is currently being handled by Tantita.
However, the lawmakers, while rejected proposals do the splitting of the pipeline security, among multiple operators, said Tantita has recorded progress reducing pipeline vandalism and improving crude oil production levels and called for a long time renewal of the contract.
The chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Midstream), Henry Okojie, while speaking at the session, said splitting the contract could weaken coordination and accountability.
According to him “We must strengthen what works, not dilute it. Nigeria’s economic security depends on disciplined execution.”
Similarly, the joint panel dismissed petitions against the security companies, noting that the petitioners failed to appear to substantiate their petitions.
The chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, in a motion for the dismissal of the petitions, said the petitioners have shunned several invitations to defend their petitions.
According to him, “there is no credible evidence to sustain any of the allegations. Accordingly, all complaints against Tantita are hereby dismissed.”
