Tantita Commissions Sector 1 and 3 Battalion Effurun Headquarters

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has commissioned the newly built headquarters of Nigeria Army Sector 1 and 3 Battalions in Effurun, Delta State, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to strengthen security operations in the Niger Delta region.

The commissioning ceremony, held on Wednesday attracted top security stakeholders, community leaders, and representatives of government agencies, who described the development as a boost to the ongoing fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of economic sabotage.

High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, MD Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in his speech said that sustainable security cannot be delivered by one institution acting alone. It thrives where there is collaboration between public and private institutions. 

According to him, "It is a profound honour to stand before you today at the commissioning of the newly constructed 13 offices embedded within the 3 Battalion Headquarters and the remodeling of 22 offices embedded within Sector 1 Facilities, located here in Effurun Barracks, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

"All over the world, experience has shown that sustainable security cannot be delivered by one institution acting alone. It thrives where there is collaboration between public and private institutions. This principle forms the bedrock of Tantita's strategy in carrying out its contractual duty of protecting Nigeria's critical energy infrastructure.

"This is why, since our engagement by NNPC Limited in August 2022, Tantita has worked tirelessly with government security agencies, most notably the Nigerian Army, to combat oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and related economic sabotage. The professionalism, discipline, and operational leadership of the Nigerian Army have been indispensable to the progress recorded so far.

"Today's commissioning is therefore not merely about erecting buildings or offices. It represents an investment in people, in capacity, and in operational effectiveness. 

"The newly constructed and remodeled facilities are designed to improve coordination, enhance operational readiness, and support the welfare of the officers and men who put their lives on the line in service to our great nation.

"By carrying out this project as part of our corporate social responsibility, Tantita reaffirms its belief that effective security must be supported by a conducive environment that promotes efficiency, dignity, and professionalism. This is because strong institutions are built not only on clear mandates, but also on the infrastructure and conditions that enable excellence." He added. 

On his part, Guest of Honour of the event, Maj. Gen. E. E. Emekah, GOC 6 Division, Nigeria Army said that the project was conceived by chance when he took over command of the sector in April last year.

"The sector was in a very dilapidated state, as you can see from the pictures on the screen, and we're trying our best with a little effort to see how we could keep up with the maintenance of the structure. 

"But on the first of August last year, we coincidentally invited chief Godfrey pondi for an event which was the personal parade of the card of 88 regular reporting. Take a special guest of honor. 

"And in the process of discussion with him, I was discussing with the CO three battle on where on the works that we have to do on the sector headquarters and also the battalion headquarters, so that we can give it a more befitting look. 

"And to my auto surprise, Godfrey came up. He was listening to the conversation, and that's where tantita came in. And then he offered, yes, he offered. And then the next thing, Kirsten also came in and also offered. And initially we just requested for some support to just give it a facelift. 

"But to my utmost surprise, I went back to Asaba after two days, and I came back after a week, and they had taken down the two structures completely, so they practically built these structures from scratch for us.

" I can't thank the MD and Tita and the GM operations, enough for the efforts in helping us come up with these structures for the sector and the battle headquarters. It's really marvelous to see the kind of support you get from you, and it is more commendable to see the support that you give us, the collaboration between the sector, the battalion, and the tantita security services in ensuring that our partners are secure, ensuring that there's no more oil banquet, there's no oil thefts and all other oil crimes. 

"And this has also reflected on the oil production in the country and the level of criminality in the oil sector. This is what I have to say for today. I cannot appreciate everybody enough." He added. 

Earlier in his welcome speech, Maj. M. L. Salman,Commanding Officer 3Battalion said that upon taking over command in January last year, one of my key priorities was to improve the living conditions across the barracks.

According to him, "This was informed by the intent to make a people centric command, as determines remain the most valuable asset in every aspect of the minute, the General Officer Commanding equally charged me to look into the issue of renovating the battalion headquarters, considering it's dilapidated state.

"Today, I feel highly elated to state that through our, effort and the support from Tantita Security Services Limited, we have been able to build and furnish a new department headquarters." He said. 

The 63 Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Shonibare also in his speech added, "It is a gracious day for us today, and we thank God for this day that we're here today, I seen something that would seem impossible a few months ago. 

"I would like, at this point, to pick up from where the CO 3 Battalion stopped. This project was conceived by chance when I took over command of the sector in April last year. 

"The sector was in a very dilapidated state, as you can see from the pictures on the screen, and we're trying our best with a little effort to see how we could keep up with the maintenance of the structure. But on the first of August last year, we coincidentally invited Chief Godfrey Pondi for an event which was the personal parade of 88 regular. 

"And in the process, I was discussing with the CO 3 Battle on where on the works that we have to do on the sector headquarters and also the Battalion headquarters, so that we can give it a more befitting look. 

"And to my utmost surprise, Godfrey came up. He was listening to the conversation, and that's where Tantita came in. And then he offered. And then the next thing, Kestin also came in and also offered. 

"Initially we just requested for some support to just give it a facelift. But to my utmost surprise, I went back to Asaba after two days, and I came back after a week, and they had taken down the two structures completely, so they practically built these structures from scratch for us. 

"I can't thank the MD of Tantita and the GM Operations enough for the efforts in helping us come up with these structures for the sector and the battle headquarters. 

"It's really marvelous to see the kind of support we get from you, and it is more commendable to see the support that you give us, the collaboration between the sector, the Battalion, and the Tantita Security Services in ensuring that our partners are secure, ensuring that there's no more oil banquet, there's no oil thefts and all other oil crimes." He added.