Amnesty Leader, Ogidigba Urges FG to Expand Pipeline Surveillance Contract, Calls On Protesters to stop, Harps for Dialogue

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The National Chairman of the Phase 3 of the presidential Amnesty Programme, Gen. Godstime Ogidigba, has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, to expand the scope of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited.

In a statement on Monday, Gen. Ogidigba urged aggrieved leaders from the Niger Delta region who are demanding the decentralization of the contract to suspend protests and media attacks against Tantita. He said such grievances could be addressed through dialogue for a more productive outcome.

“I use this medium to appeal to all aggrieved persons to schedule a meeting with the CEO of Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpompolo, also known as Tompolo, for a roundtable discussion on how to accommodate more persons,” Ogidigba said.

He stressed that peace and unity among Ijaw leaders were critical at this time and argued that expanding the contract based on Tantita’s performance and capacity would strengthen pipeline protection.

The amnesty leader also called on Ijaw traditional rulers, opinion leaders, stakeholders, youth, and women leaders to unite and rally support for High Chief Ekpompolo, whom he said had played a key role in stabilizing peace and security in the Niger Delta.

Ogidigba addressed his appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and NNPCL, concluding with wishes for the continued peace of Nigeria, the Niger Delta region, and the Ijaw Nation.