Delta Traditional Rulers back Tantita, urge govt to expand scope

The Delta State Traditional Rulers Council has passed a resounding vote of confidence 
in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

The royal fathers, drawn from the Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko and Ndokwa extractions passed the votes of confidence on Monday at an enlarged meeting of the Council.

The meeting was held at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1.

The Council, in a communique signed and issued at the end of the deliberation, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to renew and expand the scope of the Tantita.

The communique was jointly signed by the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso; Ovie of Idjere Kingdom, Monday Whiskey;  King Joseph Timiyan, the Ebenanaowei of Ogulaha kingdom and among others.

The royal fathers, the renewal and expansion would enhance increased in the oil and gas output and optimum peace as well as stability in the region and beyond.

They condemned the call by some individuals in the society to decentralise the Tantita's contract, noting that the centralised framework adopted by the federal government had been very productive and should be maintained.

"We expressed deep appreciation and profound gratitude to President Tinubu for finding TSSNL worthy of the Pipeline surveillance and other critical government's national assets contract in the Niger Delta region.

"Having extensively and exhaustively discussed the resounding successes of the company, we passed a resounding vote of implicit confidence in TSSNL for her unwavering commitment and enthusiasm towards protecting oil and gas installations.

"The coming on board of Tantita has led to a tremendous reduction in illegal bunkering, 
kidnapping, sea piracy 
armed robbery, youth restiveness and among others.

"It has also bolster the economy of the country as well as 
improved both aquatic and terrestrial habitat of the entire region," they said.

The traditional rulers noted that the emergence of Tantita had improved oil production to about 1.8mbpd.

They also said that gas production was on the rise in the country which had ultimately translated to increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

The Traditional Council, however, felicitate with President Tinubu on his 74th birth anniversary and wished him many happy returns in the coming years. 

Earlier, at the meeting, Tantita sought the continuous supports and cooperations of the traditional rulers in it's operations.

The Managing Director of TSSNL, High Chief Kestin Pondi thanked the royal fathers for their supports since the commencement of operations of Tantita.

The managing director was represented by Barr. Emmanuel Jakpa, the General Manager, TSSNL's Legal Service.

"We thank you for your supports over the years. 

"We believe that your continuous support will be vital for Tantita to continue to advance national interest, hence we decided to meet with you and invite you to support Tantita's work.

"As you all know, since 2022, Tantita has been saddled to along other private security firms of securing national assets," he said.

Pondi noted that the Niger Delta region had suffered for a long time, attributing it to activities of oil exploration.

"Every kingdom present here today is impacted by one way or the other. However, things have improved considerably, aquatics have come alive in our rivers," he said.

The managing director recalled that before Tantita came on board in August 2022, the country barely produced 700,000 barrel per day (bpd) of crude oil, due to oil theft.

Pondi said that the situation had changed for better, noting that the nation's crude oil production is about 97 per cent. 

In attendance were: King Felix Mujakperuo, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, King Monday Whisky, Ovie of Idjere Kingdom, King Joseph Timiyan among others.