The Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas, and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria has commended President Bola Tinubu for reawarding the Tantita Security Pipeline Surveillance Contract.
The group stated that the reaward of the contract has led to an increase in the country’s oil production.
The President of the group, Mr Fiawei Pathfinder, made this remark at a world press conference held in Abuja on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the contract was initially awarded to the company in August 2022 to safeguard the nation’s oil assets.
Pathfinder thanked President Tinubu for the decision, highlighting that the Tantita Security Pipeline Surveillance Contract had significantly boosted the nation’s oil production output.
“This has rapidly increased the nation’s oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day and is now nearing 2 million barrels daily by the end of December 2024,” he said.
He expressed optimism that by January and February 2025, production would exceed 2.5 million barrels per day, contributing to the nation’s economic stability.
Pathfinder also used the opportunity to appeal to President Tinubu and the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, to increase funding for the Tantita Security Services pipeline surveillance contract.
He suggested expanding its scope to include supervision, monitoring, and revenue collection from vessels operating in Nigerian territorial waters.
This, he said, would help reduce oil theft and sabotage activities, particularly from foreign vessels operating in Nigerian waterways.
He further revealed that Tantita had apprehended more than eight vessels, four tugboats, and 117 vehicles involved in oil theft.
Pathfinder also called on President Tinubu to address the issue of underdevelopment in the Niger Delta.
“The underdevelopment in the Niger Delta and the host communities is worrisome.
“In spite of various agencies set up by the federal government to address these issues, we are not seeing the desired impact,” he said.
He pointed out that the 13 per cent derivation fund, which amounted to trillions of naira, was being misused by governors for other purposes.
“As youths from the region, it’s time for us to come together, build synergy, and say enough is enough.
“We must protect our facilities as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and work with security agents to ensure the protection of these facilities,” he added.
Mr Momos Wilberforce, a representative of Bayelsa youths, also lauded President Tinubu’s efforts in renewing the hope of Nigerians.
“We appreciate the President for the renewed hope agenda. We commend Tantita for their excellent service in the Niger Delta.
“We encourage other security firms involved in similar contracts to double their efforts so that oil production can increase to 2.5 million barrels per day,” he said.
