EYLCN Praises FCT High Court Ruling Rejecting Calls To Stop Renewal Of Tantita’s Pipeline Surveillance Contract …NASS For Appreciating Tantita’s Contributions To Increased Crude Oil Output

By Alkassim Bala Tsakuwa, Abuja

The Ethnic Youth Leaders’ Council of Nigeria (EYLCN), has commended the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for ruling against the call to stop the renewal of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd’s pipeline surveillance contract.

The commendation was made by the group at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Addressing the Press Conference, the EYLCN National Coordinator, Comrade Meliga Godwin, described the ruling as a major victory for Nigeria’s economy and national security adding that, the court’s decision reaffirmed the strategic importance of Tantita’s role in protecting the nation’s oil infrastructure.

He warned that, any attempt to split or fragment the contract could undermine the progress already made in curbing crude oil theft and restoring stability in the Niger Delta.

He recalled that, before Tantita was engaged, Nigeria suffered devastating losses with crude theft reaching as much as 250,000 barrels per day and costing the country billions of dollars in lost revenue.

According to him, between January and September 2021 alone, Nigeria reportedly lost more than $4 billion to oil theft, while production plunged to about 900,000 barrels per day.

Godwin, however, noted that since Tantita took over pipeline surveillance operations, oil theft has dropped sharply, production has rebounded close to two million barrels per day, and investor confidence has improved significantly.

The EYLCN National Coordinator added that the company’s intervention has also reduced insecurity, curbed environmental damage from illegal refining, and created jobs for youths in oil-producing communities.

The EYLCN further praised the National Assembly for recommending that Tantita be declared a company of strategic national interest, saying the move reflects the company’s growing relevance to Nigeria’s economic survival.

The group urged the Federal Government to immediately renew the contract and resist pressures to divide it among multiple operators.

It also commended that, Tantita’s leadership, including Managing Director (MD), High Chief Kestin Pondi, Vice Chairman Matthew Tonlagha, and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo because conferred with national honours for their patriotism and commitment to national development.

The group stated that, their contributions have strengthened the economy, reduced insecurity, and created wealth for Nigerians.