Tantita, not established to witch-hunt Itsekiri Kingdom says Itsekiri Tantita Workers

As the backdrop of some peddling rumours making the rounds that High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo established  Tantita Security Services to witch-hunt Itsekiri Kingdom and Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse Ill, Itsekiri Tantita Workers have come up  to say, it is not true rather, Tompolo and Tantita have been a tremendous help to not only the Ijaw nation but the Itsekiri, Isoko, Urhobo, Kwale and other ethnic nationalities in Niger Delta region.

Itsekiri Tantita Workers stated this on Monday when the  personnel of Tantita Security Services embarked on a peace sensitization tour to different  communities in Itsekiri Kingdom. 

Speaking with PEBNEWS, Tantita Co-ordinator,  Engr. Samson Uwatse that covers  OML 34, Warri River, NNPC Pipeline and Trans-forcados Pipeline both in Iffiekporo and Ugbodede Communities in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State said Tompolo and Tantita Security Services are neither out to fight Itsekiri Kingdom nor Olu of Warri but to help the generality of the people irrespective of ethnic nationalities.

According the Co-ordinator, before the existence of Tantita Security Services Ltd, there have been security companies yet their  Itsekiri communities have not benefited from pipeline security jobs, saying, but with the coming of Tantita, not only his community but its environs have been engaged productively as many of the youths, women  have been beneficiaries in one way or the other.

His words: "Since Tantita came on board, Ogbodede and its environs, we have over fifty slots of Tantita security work, we have the youths, women, and community elders who are beneficiaries of the work. Today, my community people can beat their chest and say Tantita has done really good in their lives".

According to him, their main task is to ensure that all oil wells and pipelines are well protected from theft. He said those who are peddling rumours that Tantita is out to claim Itsekiri Kingdom want to cause crisis between Itsekiri and Ijaw people. Engr. Uwatse said, the  job is solely to guard pipelines by protecting the wealth of nation, Nigeria.

According to him, the  job of Tantita, is not only meant for the Ijaws  but other ethnic nationalities as Urhobos, Itsekiris, Isokos and the entire Niger Delta have been employed in the company to work to  achieve the same goal. 

His words: "Tompolo has done well as an Ijaw man. He did not only employ Ijaw people but all ethnic nationalities: Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri;kwale and all that make up Niger Delta"

He therefore called on those spreading the rumours of Tompolo witch- hunting the Olu of Warri to stop it just as he advised the people not to listen to those who are  peddling such fake rumors but join hands in building the nation in this direction.

On his part, Mr. Johnson Onire, Tantita Coordinator, OML 150 and Ugbotseduwa/Ajaosolo Communities said Tompolo has done a good job as far as the Itsekiris are  concerned.
 He has  been able to extend the hands of fellowship to all itsekiris and other ethnic nationalities in this job of pipeline to save the federal government's  products from being vandalised.

He said: "As workers in Tantita, we make sure we  do our work diligently to make sure Federal Government  does not lose atom of oil revenue but its accurate  production for export. This is because, Nigeria standard of living much depends on the oil."
 
Not left out is Tantita Co-ordinator of Ubagboro, Abigborodo, Obotie, Okogho, Ugbukurus, and Olobojo Communities, Mr. Fenemigho Roland. He said his area of coverage is large, stressed that they are major benefactors just as he said, they are okay for now by what they benefit.

According to him, "We  have about 120 slots because I cover like five major communities. We have about 120 slots for men and 120 slots for women.  We are  major benefactors, but like as they say, Oliver asks  for more, we do but for the now, we are okay," he said.

On his message to High Chief Dr. Ekpomupolo Alias Tompolo, he said, "I would say, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo is a good man. In the era of Tantita, Pipelines have been secured and that has helped the Federal Government to save the nation's revenue. This job has been on for a  long time, and the company is doing very  well. So, he is worth  appreciated."

He further advised the Federal Government to always maintain the surveillance contract with Tantita, adding that, through it, the economy has improved, and they will continue to handle it perfectly.

"With him, the facilities of the IOCs are in a safe hand," he said.

In an interview with Jackson Ojogbo, a resident leader in Ogbegun Community, said: "We are host to Chevron, NNPC, Shell, SPDC, and others. Today is an opportunity to appreciate the team of Tantita that visited the Ogbegun land.

"We really appreciate them because for a long time now, when security issues are discussed, no one recognises  us, but this time of Tantita, they recognise  us with coordinators, employments and boats. So, we, as Ogbegun Community, appreciate Tantita Management and the work force of Tantita and we are still appealing for more opportunities for our women and some of our old men.

"We still  appeal to Tantita Management to take day out of their busy schedule  to visit this community for more discussion, we, the entire Ogbegun: the elders, women and youths shall continue to  support and work for Tantita, he concluded.

Another source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: "Before Tantita came on board, we noticed that bunkering activities were in place, but since the inception of Tantita, our area is very clean and clear. Most of our people who are fishermen are enjoying fishing business,  the river is good for fishing, so we will say kudos to Tantita"

Some of the communities visited in the tour include: Ode-Ugborodo, Ogboegungun, Bobi among others.