Bebenimibo faults Gov Diri Over Call To Review Pipeline Surveillance Contract

By Stephen Asaba-se

A writer and Niger Delta advocate Prince Meshach Bebenimibo has said that it was inconsequential and parochial for the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri to criticised the Federal Government’s Maritime Protection policy of engaging non-state actors to secure the maritime environment.

Bebenimibo who is also a chairmanship aspirant of Delta State Local Government Council election in Warri South West said Diri should concentrate on governance and development of Bayelsa State, adding, “Bayelsa State is one of the richest States in Niger Delta and Nigeria at large, receiving several allocations as one of the top oil producing States in Nigeria, yet no meaningful development with decayed infrastructures.

Recall, Diri had called on the Federal Government to review the security strategy and allow the Navy to take charge of the monitoring of the nation’s critical oil asserts. This assertion was made during a courtesy visit to him by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, at Government House in Yenagoa, on Monday, a call that does not go down well with major key players in Niger Delta.

Bebenimibo emphasised that it was the best policy decision of the government to award the security pipeline surveillance contract to private security companies to secure critical economic assets in the nation’s territorial domain.

The Niger Delta advocate queried, “Why are you going against Tompolo’s Surveillance Contract?. Why stoop so low to that extend?

According to the front runner of the forthcoming Local Government Chairmanship election in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, Bebenimibo, “Tompolo is a nationalist, patriotic and philanthropist who want the best for Nigeria as a country. He bears risk day and night to protect oil and gas facilities in Niger Delta.

“It is pathetic and appalling for a serving Governor of Bayelsa State to alter such derogatory and inflammatory utterances. Retract and retrace your utterances and focus on governance. Give Bayelsans the best as they voted for you en mass.

“Nigeria will never regret giving Tompolo and Tantita the oil surveillance contract.
Most of the wailers are bunkers and need urgent rehabilitation.

“Tompolo is always committed to securing all the oil and gas facilities to boost the fortune and revenue of Nigeria for the president to deliver his Renewed Hope agenda”, he added.

However, Bebenimibo urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to ignore the call of Douye Diri and like minds who don’t want the best for Nigeria to review the surveillance contract.