Niger Delta coalition lauds Buhari over the award of surveillance contract to Tompolo

By Timi Black

A group, under the umbrella of the Coalition of Niger Deltans, CND, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari over his benevolence in awarding the oil surveillance contract to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo.

This was made available to Congress correspondent in a statement by its National President Tamarapreye Tareware and National Secretary Prince Meshach Bebenimibo on Monday.

The statement which was dated August 29, said: “We commend the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari, GMD, NNPC, Mele Kolo Kyari and Minister of State Petroleum Resources, H. E. Timipre Silva over the Pipeline Surveillance Contract awarded to Tompolo.

“High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo has done enough for keeping the peace in the Niger Delta. He has used his God-given wisdom to curb negative vices in the Niger Delta.

“It is also disheartening for the Arewa group addressing journalists during a protest to say: We are here this morning to register our displeasure over the newly awarded contract. The awarded contract implies that a private citizen like Tompolo will be allowed to handle not just light but sophisticated weapons to be able to ward off possible attacks from the vicious oil bunkering cartel.

“The above statement was viewed as a slap on the faces of Niger Delta stakeholders. The Arewa group spokesman, Victor Duniya should know that Tompolo does not need any guns to combat oil theft. He will be working with the security agents hand in hand and needed no arm.

“It is on a note that Tompolo hates bunkering activities in the Niger Delta because of the health implications and destruction of aquatic lives.

CND, while declaring total support for the federal government’s action, assured Tompolo’s capacity to help save the country billions of naira being lost through oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

According to the National President Tamarapreye Tareware and Secretary Prince Meshach Bebenimibo, who spoke at Presidential Hotels Portharcourt, Rivers State commended the Group Managing Director, NNPC Limited Mele Kolo Kyari and the Federal Government for the wisdom in awarding the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo, saying: “It is a sign of good faith and a step in the right direction.

“Tompolo has worked tirelessly for the peace in Niger Delta and will continue to sustain and protect the wealth of the nation in collaboration with other stakeholders.

“We must commend Federal Government for doing the right thing by giving the protection of vital nation’s asserts to our leader.

“It is so disgraceful, shameful and very unfortunate that this group has got nothing to offer, rather than being obsessed with our most respected leader, Tompolo, who has given it all for the peace, development and unity of Nigeria.

“Instead of this group, AAYG, to be concerned with the insecurity challenge ongoing in the North just as the way our respected leader, is preoccupied with providing solutions to oil theft and other social vices in the Niger Delta region.”

“In strong terms, we warn AAYG to be careful with their hate and smear campaigns about our respected leader, Tompolo. Tompolo has sacrificed a lot for the peace, unity and oneness of Nigeria, we will not sit and watch clowns drag his name to the mud.

“Hopefully, With this contract awarded and approved to Tompolo so many pipeline vandalism attacks in our oil facilities in the Niger Delta region will reduce to the barest minimum Niger Delta region.”

The group narrated, “With this contract, many pipeline vandalism attacks in our oil facilities in the Niger Delta region will total stop.”

While urging youths and stakeholders in Rivers State and others to shun division, the group accused protesting militants of trying to poison the minds of Niger Delta youths against Tompolo.

CND assured that nobody would be left out as other tribes including the Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Ikwere, Ibo, Hannan, Ibibio and others across the Niger Delta would be involved in the process.

They, however, urged all Niger Deltans to support Tompolo to reduce environmental pollution to the barest minimum.