Tompolo, Kempade as true Niger Delta ambassadors

Sir: There are recorded events in the recent past that have proved beyond reasonable doubt that the nation Nigeria may not need gun boats to solve its problems particularly, in the oil rich Niger Delta region, notorious for crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Evidence has emerged that what the nation needs is a sincere and selfless leadership, a politically and economically restructured polity via sustainable Public-Private sectors partnership while rejecting corruption.

A telling example is what a few weeks ago trailed the crude oil pipeline surveillance contract recently awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a company owned by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (A.K.A. Tompolo), the ‘Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation’ and Global Ambassador of the Ijaw people.

According to media reports, barely two months after he was awarded the multi-billion naira oil security contract in the Niger Delta region, Government Ekpemupolo has discovered over 58 illegal points in Delta and Bayelsa States where crude oil is being stolen. More specifically, there was a media report that Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited, on Thursday, October 7, 2022 successfully arrested a crude oil tanker, loaded with an unspecified quantity of crude oil at the Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
 
The development has also deeply sparked consciousness about challenges facing Niger Delta region before the human right and other advocates for oppressed communities, while bringing to the fore a renewed call for legislative and policy reforms that will permanently curb crude oil  theft in the region and ensure that the process of decision making on issues that concern oil and gas sector and the living environment of the people of the region are opened up.

As the nation and the people of Niger Delta region celebrate the ongoing process of liberating the region from economic hardship and environmental pollution, it is however, important to recognise that Tompolo’s contributions towards restoration of peace and sustainable development in the region is long standing, noticed across the globe and deeply qualifies him as a catalyst for a new order and  Niger Delta region’s ambassador for peace and development.

Another personality that has through the ongoing surveillance emerged a new face of Niger Delta region is Chief Ebipade Kari, the Operational Head of Tantita Security Services Limited and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Tompolo, who was reportedly offered a bribe of N25 million to let the ship (MT Deinmo, with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number 7210525) go but he turned down the offer.

For me, Tompolo and Ebipade Kari are in the interim, the real ambassadors of the new Niger Delta region!!!

Utomi Jerome-Mario is the programme coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), a Lagos-based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO).