Sequel to the announcement by the Tantita Security Services Nig Ltd of the destruction of 700 kegs of crude oil in Awoye, Ese-Odo local government area of Ondo state, South West Nigeria in a recent operation, the Mayor of Urhoboland, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, has commended the efforts of the private security outfit for its swift moves at taking the war against oil theft to the doorstep of oil thieves.
The commendation was made by the Mayor who is an ex-agitator leader and a critical stakeholder in the security surveillance of the oil facilities in the Delta region.
He nade the commendation at his Ughelli Delta State where he stated that TSSNL has proven to be a “blessing to the Nigerian state” adding that the firm has for uncountable times shown capacity and character to deal ruthlessly with criminals.
TSSNL, Akpodoro added, should surge on in the war against all known vices in the Nigerian oil industry, expressing optimism that the firm will eventually cripple the activities of the saboteurs who are bent on compromising Nigeria’s economy.
The Mele Kyari-led Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL that awarded the contract to Chief Government Ekpemukpolo a.k.a Tomopolo-owned firm, TSSNL, Mayor Akpodoro said, took that decision in the best national interest.
He noted that now, the nation is reaping bumper harvest from the patriotic decision of the NNPCL leadership, a decision taken at the time it was needed the most.
The Urhobo-born Mayor said the firm did the best by destroying the stolen crude and the storage facilities which he noted was expensive and the may not have what it takes to replace them.
He called on the contractor of the security surveillance of the oil pipelines in the western axis of the Nigerian territorial waters not to rest on its oars until all the vestiges of brigandage in its operational areas have been successfully removed.
“The Ondo state corridor of the TSSNL contract is notorious for crude theft over the years and the criminals are not willing to cease their nefarious activities but incidentally this security firm that carries the responsibility of the protection and safety of our national wealth on its shoulders is very much equal to the task and the entire nation depends on the dexterity and can-do-spirit of this firm to meet up its obligations to the nation and her citizens.
“Ondo creeks before now were very porous but for TSSNL which is daily blocking the loopholes our national economy would have been dealt fatal blows by the bunch of criminals whose lives depend on oil theft.
“TSSNL, every stole product and its container must be destroyed immediately to serve as a deterrent to would be thieves another day.
“Before now, oil theft in the Niger Delta region was a huge industry worth billions of dollars but the hitherto phenomenon has been mortally dealt with by Tomopolo’s firm and this is why we have our weight thrown behind the private firm,” Mayor Akpodoro said.
He called on all stakeholders to support TSSNL to succeed in its “marvelous efforts” and not to sabotage same.
“It is time Niger Delta youths look in the direction of doing legitimate businesses to eke out their livelihood rather than engaging in criminalities such as pipelines vandalism, crude adulteration, oil theft and sundry crimes.”