By Zika Bobby
The Mayor of Urhoboland, Eshanekpe Israel aka Akpodoro, has rejected calls by the Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) to remove Tantita Security Services Nig LTD (TSSNL) from securing oil infrastructure in the region. The UPU, led by Olorogun Ese Gam, had demanded the contract be awarded to indigenous Urhobo security contractors instead.
In a statement, Akpodoro acknowledged the UPU’s concerns, but argued that TSSNL has been working with Urhobo youths, providing them with employment and financial stability, stressing that the company’s management has taken care of the youths, which he believes is sufficient.
TSSNL, according to him, has been paying its indigenous Urhobo sub contractors promptly and accordingly.
“That security firm is managed by men of good conscience who carry out the social responsibilities of the security to the letter, impacting communities with its operational areas.
“As the Mayor of Urhoboland, I had and still engaging TSSNL management severally on the issue of improved work relationship with Urhobo youths and the talks are still ongoing for the good of all as against attacking a security firm that has brought pride to the nation. In June 2024, I led Urhobo youths to the CEO of TSSNL, High Chief Government Ekpemukpolo a.k.a Tompolo who received us well in his Gbaramatu Kingdom and promised to work with our youths and that talk is still ongoing. Why the hasty decision to make an avoidable incendiary call against the same firm that doesn’t take Urhobo nation with levity? All stakeholders in the Urhobo nation are being patronised by the TSSNL. The call by UPU is self-serving. We must learn to work together irrespective of our inherent diversities.”
He called on the Federal Government to consider widening the operational areas of the TSSNL’s contract with increased budgetary allocation, to enable the firm achieve its goals, saying the oil pipeline security surveillance contractor has the capacity to exterminate oil theft in the Niger Delta region.