Imo Monarchs Again Tompolo Surveillance Staff As Niger Delta Coalition Pushes Decentralisation
In a present of solidarity and assist, conventional rulers and stakeholders from Imo State, significantly these from Ohaji/Egbema Native Authorities Council have thrown their weight behind the surveillance staff led by Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo, often known as Tompolo, passing a vote of confidence on him for his efforts in curbing unlawful oil bunkering actions within the state.
Nationwide Secretary of Part One Presidential Amnesty Programme, Andrew Vocor, acknowledged that Imo State has seen a big discount in oil pipeline vandalism and lack of lives because the deployment of Tompolo’s staff. “We misplaced 300 individuals in someday on account of unlawful bunkering, however right this moment, there’s zero incident of bunkering in Imo State,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, apparently unimpressed by the place of Imo State monarchs, a coalition of Involved Youth Our bodies in Rivers State has urged the federal authorities to decentralise pipeline safety contracts within the Niger Delta area.
A press release signed on Sunday, by Mr. Charles Malford, on behalf of the coalition in Port Harcourt, referred to as on President Bola Tinubu to take additional decisive steps towards attaining lasting peace and stability within the area by decentralising the surveillance contracts.
On their half, an announcement by the Nationwide Secretary of Part One Presidential Amnesty Programme, Andrew Vocor mentioned: “We need to critically inform those that are criticizing Tantitah speaking about decentralization particularly the Ijaw individuals to know that we’re not Ijaws, we’re from Imo State and our personal oil pipe line runs from right here, the oil services listed below are purely ours and don’t have anything to do with Ijaws.
“These criticizing Tantitah ought to know that we’re good with what he’s doing; they don’t know what decentralization means as a result of Tantitah has decentralized the job of oil pipeline surveillance and since he has completed the needful there’s no Ijaw man working in Imo State however Imo individuals; Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta individuals are working in Egbema and contractors concerned are indigenous contractors and that’s what decentralization entails.
“In the present day there’s zero unlawful bunkering in Imo State, no life misplaced once more on account of unlawful bunkering. These criticizing Tantitah, there’s no oil pipeline transversing their communities, we stand as Imo individuals in opposition to their portray of image of what doesn’t exist,” Vocor mentioned.
In his remarks, Eze Fortunate Remigius Okoro of Obiakpu Group in Ohaji/Egbema LGA echoed comparable sentiments, commending Tompolo and his staff for decentralizing oil pipeline surveillance and involving indigenous contractors.
He mentioned “We’re not Ijaws, we’re from Imo State, and our oil services are ours. We’re good with what Tantitah is doing,” he mentioned.
The stakeholders distanced themselves from critics, significantly from the Ijaw neighborhood, stating that they don’t share the identical views and urged them to concentrate on their very own communities stating “Anyone speaking of decentralization ought to stay as they’re whereas we stay as we’re,” Eze Okoro added.
One other stakeholder, a neighborhood chief, Chief Tony Ohamara moved a vote of confidence on Tompolo and it was unanimously carried on a voice vote.
“We got here right here to cross a vote of confidence on Tantitah Vitality Worldwide Restricted and Chief Tompolo for standing behind us when our individuals have been dying like chickens, he got here to our rescue. We’re not betrayals, so we’re supporting him in all ramifications,” he mentioned.
In the meantime, the coalition of Involved Youth Our bodies in Rivers State expressed gratitude to Tinubu, for his ongoing developmental efforts within the area, noting the president’s dedication to bettering the welfare of the oil-producing communities.
The Youth our bodies emphasised that decentralising pipeline safety contracts is important for creating job alternatives for teens, who make up nearly all of the area’s inhabitants.
They mentioned “Focus of contracts within the palms of a single firm is neither equitable nor sustainable. Native communities ought to be concerned instantly in securing infrastructure to advertise possession and accountability.
“Partaking native youths meaningfully in pipeline safety will cut back tendencies in the direction of crime, drug abuse, and different social challenges.
“Decentralisation promotes higher grassroots participation and enhances the safety of vital infrastructure by involving neighborhood members intimately acquainted with their native environments.”
The coalition additional urged the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company (NNPC) to make clear and unbundle the prevailing contracts associated to pipeline and wellhead surveillance to make sure clear roles and duties.
They careworn that “this name for decentralisation is well timed, honest, and essential for fostering inclusiveness, higher safety, and strengthened regional cooperation.”
The Youth our bodies nonetheless, reiterated its dedication to peace, improvement, and progress within the Niger Delta and throughout Nigeria, saying “The coalition stands united in advocating for insurance policies that empower youths and safeguard the nation’s vital infrastructure.”
Amby Uneze in Owerri and Blessing Ibunge
Times Nigeria