Relief as Tantita repairs Delta roads

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a pipeline security surveillance company operated by High  Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has moved in to repair some deplorable roads in Delta State, especially in Effurun , a commercial hub of the state.

Findings showed that the board of the company chaired by Tompolo took the decision to repair some strategic roads in the commercial city at a meeting held in May.

Reports indicated that the board of the company  was worried by the deplorable state of some  important roads in the area and the plight of road users and residents in general. 

To drive home the board's resolution,  a construction company was hired and mobilised to the sites to  kick-start the initiative.

Already, the initiative, which the company's sources said, is  aimed at complementing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's developmental strides in the state, has seen to the repairs  of roads in Bendel Estate axis of Effurun, the Headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The roads in Bendel Estate, an upscale and elitist's  settlement in the city, had been in bad shape over years, neglected by successive state and local authorities, preceding  Oborevwori's administration.

The roads were littered with deep craters and big pot holes, particularly at a spot by the NNPC Junior Staff Club as they    became nightmares to residents and  visitors.

However, correspondents, who visited the areas on Wednesday reported that the plight of the road users and commuters  in the area have  been consigned to history as both  residents  and motorists  heaved a sigh relief.

The main road leading to the Estate, from  Avweniyare Filling Station  junction down  to the terminal point has been tarred just as the adjoining roads were not left out  as it is visible that motorists now drive smoothly  on the road without  hindrance.

Motorists and residents of the area are now in celebration mood, showering  praises and pouring encomium  on the board and management of TSSNL, especially, its Chairman, Tompolo. 

A Keke NAPEP operator in Bendel Estate, Mr. Ezekiel Akpofure, talked about how it has become easy for himself and his colleagues to operate in Bendel Estate after the repairs.

"We are happy and joyful that Tompolo has come to our aid. We have been suffering over the years, spending all our earnings on the  repairs  of our Keke. Our appeals to the  former Chairman of Uvwie LGA, Mr. Ramson Onoyake, when he was in office, fell on deaf ears. Mr. Onoyake merely did some shoddy works at a point but Tompolo has come to rescue us."

"We now operate on smooth and well tarred roads in Bendel Estate. We can now save some money we  used to expend regularly on the repairs  of our Keke. We are happy and grateful to Chief Tompolo," Akpofure said  in excitement.

Another Keke NAPEP operator in the Estate, Seidu Abdullahi, who hails from Kano State, was also excited in an interview with some Journalists.

Abdullahi said: "Initially, we thought the roads were being repaired by the Government because we didn't see anything to suggest that a private individual or company could be responsible. We only got to know that Chief Tompolo asked his company to do this (repairs  of roads) for us in Bendel Estate, after so much enquiries."

"We are so much grateful to him for this rare show of humanity. I have been operating my Keke in Bendel Estate for 5 years, this is the first time I am finding it easy to operate because I now drive on smooth roads. We are poor people, we don't have anything to offer Chief Tompolo, other than to pray for him and his team that God continues to grant them robust health and abundant prosperity," Abdullahi added.

For Chief Julius Ogie said:"  a-well- to-do citizens should emulate Tompolo.

"We have been suffering and begging for help on the Bendel Estate Roads for years to no avail but God has finally  answered our prayers through Tompolo. If all wealthy citizens behave the way Tompolo does by being public-spirited and philanthropic, Nigeria would have been a better place. They should emulate him.

"We are indeed very grateful to Tompolo. We learnt that it's not easy to see him otherwise we would have raised a delegation to meet with him. But since we cannot see him, we pray God to continue to preserve him in good health and grant him long life to enable him to continue to serve humanity," the octogenarian further stated.

The Managing Director of TSSNL, Chief Kestin Pondi, ignored persistent calls and text messages sent to him to confirm if Tantita was responsible for the repair works.

But reliable sources close  to the company confirmed that Tantita funded the rehabilitation works on the roads.

The source said: "I can tell you that Tantita is responsible for the repairs  of the roads in Bendel Estate but you know that the Chairman (Tompolo) the Vice Chairman, Engineer Mathew Tonlagha and MD, Chief Keston Pondi, do not like public show of philanthropic gestures.

"Whenever these kind-hearted and God-sent personalities are used by God to help humanity in any form, they don't like to advertise or go to the public to announce what they have done.

"They keep their philanthropic gestures  in the lives of the people from the public domain because they believe that God gave them the resources to help humanity and they are answerable to Him. They are not the typical wealthy Nigerians who engage in public show after offering help for the people. If you like, continue to  send messages and call, they won't respond because they are not ready to discuss this good gesture in the media.

"But, I can tell you for free that the board of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited decided to intervene in the repairs  of some roads in our locality, especially in Bendel Estate, in Uvwie LGA of Delta State, to compliment the vision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, in advancing Delta State and for Tantita to be part of the total package of M.O.R.E. Agenda of His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori . The Governor needs the support of all and sundry and that is what Tantita has offered to do.

"It's our conviction in Tantita that all oil majors and indigenous oil firms should continue to  contribute and champion improved economic empowerment and practical interventions to improve the livelihood of our people in the Niger Delta.

"We are determined  to continue to promote socio-economic and Infrastructural development in the communities where we operate and we are poised to do more in building strong collaboration with local stakeholders and contribute to the overall economic prosperity of our dear country, Nigeria," the source, who craved not to be mentioned in the print added.