By Eshanakpe Israel
The Mayor of Urhobo Land
When in 2022, the Nigerian government described its award of multi-billion naira pipeline surveillance contract to a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as the ‘right decision’, the government was speaking to capacity, track record, integrity and excellent ideas of the management of the Tantita Security Services Nig LTD, TSSNL.
Mele Kyari, the chief executive officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, told the world that the decision was necessitated by the need for Nigeria to hire private contractors to man its oil pipeline network nationwide due to massive oil theft.
This was the decision that birthed the safety and water-tight security of the western axis of the Petroleum infrastructure in Nigeria wherein the TSSNL has demonstrated the savvy in managerial excellence.
Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, a.k.a Tomopolo, who is the chief executive officer of the TSSNL has shown sufficient proof in human administration and management of team leadership. He leads a thorough bred management board that’s discipline and goal oriented ably supported by Chief Keston Pondi, a trusted ally of the ‘GOC 001.’ as Tompolo is fondly called by his admirers.
Mr. Kyari had argued that it was not the first time that individuals within the Niger Delta region were awarded contracts for pipeline surveillance but until the management enrolled TSSNL into its security network before it got it right. Chief Pondi who is the Managing Director of TSSNL is a human and material management guru who has been able to ensure that TSSNL irrespective of the hateful attacks by jealous stakeholders in the oil industry thrust the security firm above board by all standards to the envy of all.
As we know, the Chief Pondi being a team player meanders and wriggles his management through the conventional and unconventional security platforms to achieve the goal of protecting Nigeria’s oil infrastructure without let or hindrance as testament to his ability and can-do capacity associated with resilient captain of industries all over the world.
While the security agencies do their part, end-to-end pipeline surveillance requires the involvement of private entities and community stakeholders and this is where the TSSNL comes to manage the bulk of the stakeholders in the industry making it a huge and skilled task that requires managerial know-how which is where the duo of the CEO and Chief Pondi come as marine security experts.
Sequence upon the award of the surveillance contract between August 2022 and November 2024, the company uncovered 3,963 cases of oil theft, including: 702 illegal connection points; 971 theft incidents, 1,784 illegal refineries.Tantita destroyed 3,063 illegal facilities involved in oil theft.
The nation was inundated last year about crude oil production from 10,000 to 32,000 barrels per day in Abia State alone due to the demolishing of the structures of of oil thieves while many were apprehended over banditry in the oil industry onshore and shore corridors of the oil infrastructure.
Tantita also apprehended equipment and vessels linked to illegal activities, including: Eight vessels, three tugboats, six barges, and 47 speed boats, 117 vehicles, 52 tanker trucks, seven motorcycles/tricycles, and 1,743 wooden boats.
The Pondi-led management’s synergy and harmonious relationship with security agencies has added values to the security of oil installations and improve regional safety.
The use of drones, sensors, and satellite imagery by TSSNL, for real-time monitoring of oil installations has contributed hugely to the safety of the oil infrastructure. This has enhanced its ability to detect illegal activities and protect national assets.
Tantita’s success has contributed over 80% reduction in crude oil losses, a testament to its effectiveness in combating oil theft and improving Nigeria’s oil production capacity.
TSSNL has proven and established the fact that as a nation that was bleeding from oil theft of the magnitude capable of crippling an economy like Nigeria’s where even top government functionaries are part of the theft, it is impossible to pull down the structures of the oil thieves both local and international and that’s what Chief Pondi’s management has actively made known.
TSSNL has defeated oil thieves, it has defeated the oil cartel in high places, the International illicit traders in the country’s oil industry, the petty illicit bunkerers, the criminal IPMA purveyors of stolen products who deal and wheel in stolen products and the Nigerian officials who connive, conspire and embolden oil thieves to pull down the national economy but for the TSSNL.
The CEO Tompolo and Chief Pondi have demonstrated exemplary leadership personality rooted in their sacramental life as traditional religious believers – a path that has led the duo in the path of uprightness, moral probity, fear of God, honesty, sincerity, excellence of ideas and thereby developing a hallmark of probity and choosing God as traditionalists.
Truly, not so many of his true friends and ardent supporters appreciate the myth of a leader who is often genuinely loving and supporting his fiercest enemies and critics to fly and excel the way our ‘GOC 001’ does and perhaps that’s the reason it’s easy to discredit and discard premeditated hate towards him, especially when undue envy and jealousy leads some to lay false accusations against him, his firm and TSSNL management.
Generally envied by supposed friends since he won the pipeline surveillance contract but Tompolo stands tall as one of Nigeria’s most influential personalities embodying regional vision, composure, and transformational leadership pulling ex-agitators into a renewed hope in Nigeria.
From his groundbreaking strides in the security of our national treasure, to his unwavering commitment to progress the progress and development of the Niger Delta region the duo of Chiefs Tomopolo and Pondi’s legacies are that of remarkable achievements that continue to resonate across the Delta region and the nation at large.
Tompolo’s journey through Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape is a testament to his foresight and dedication to the people of the Niger Delta region nay Nigeria.
From his days in the struggle for the emancipation of the region, Tompolo was exemplary in his approach, dedicated in his pivotal role as every step he took reflected his strategic thinking and ability to drive sustainable development while his initiatives are not just about addressing immediate needs but about laying the foundation for a prosperous future.
Tompolo’s visionary leadership as a talent hunter has thrusted up Chief Pondi who is generally applauded for his managerial acumen.
What truly sets Tompolo apart is his exceptional composure and resilience. In the face of challenges, societal turbulence, and economic hurdles, he has a soothing balm in Chief Pondi who in his dexterity remains calm in any situation, strategic, and focused. This quality has earned him respect across the nation, as he consistently prioritizes the greater good over transient distractions. His ability to maintain clarity and strength in turbulent times is a hallmark of his extraordinary leadership.
Pondi’s managerial excellence in TSSNL impacts the progress in the operations of the firm in the war against oil thieves the success of which is directly proportional to the National economic well-being.
Chief Ekpemukpolo is a major player in the Niger Delta Amnesty Program, fostering peace and stability in the delta region he has also faced defining moments that tested his leadership and character—and each time, he has risen to the occasion with wisdom, resolve, and an unwavering commitment to his people. These moments of triumph are a reflection of his ability to navigate complex challenges while remaining steadfast and focused on the betterment of his people and the entire region as a towering figure whose influence transcends borders.
His ddedication to the betterment and his compassion for humanity make him an inspiration to many. He is a man of the people, driven by a desire to uplift ordinary citizens and create a better future for all citizens of Niger Delta region being a foremost pan-Niger Delta nationalist while his leadership is a reminder that true greatness lies in service, resilience, and the ability to leave an enduring legacy and his impact will continue to shape the Niger region and Nigeria for generations to come establishing that fact he is not only a leader for today but a visionary leader for the future.
Chief Ekpemukpolo is a symbol of the struggle for the betterment of our region, a major pillar and poignant reminder of our collective struggle for equity, regional recognition, and inclusiveness in the governance and administration of the nation. Today, Tomopolo is an advocate of peace, tranquility, equality and he is leading a team that specialises in the suciruty of national wealth in an organisation that can hold its own anywhere in the world. Having a companion like Chief Pondi in a firm that steers the ship of our marine security in our region means the Delta region has the best in her bowel and Tompolo is one.
His Excellency Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, the Mayor of Urhoboland writes from his Ughelli Mayoral Palace, Delta State.
