31/03/2026
Tantita Contract Delivering Results, Calls for Decentralisation Misplaced — Ex-IYC Spokesman, Ekerefe
A former National Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, has faulted renewed calls for the decentralisation of oil pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, describing such demands as “misplaced and counterproductive.”
Ekerefe, who said he had largely refrained from commenting on the issue since leaving office, noted that persistent agitations by some regional stakeholders compelled him to speak, given his involvement in earlier advocacy that led to the award of the contract.
He recalled that prior to the engagement of Tantita, surveillance responsibilities were handled by the Nigerian Navy and private firms, including Ocean Marine Solutions Limited owned by the late Captain Hosa Okunbor, yet crude oil production dropped to historic lows.
According to him, systemic corruption and lack of transparency in the oil and gas value chain necessitated reforms under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He noted that the then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, alongside former NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, initiated an open tender process that eventually led to the emergence of indigenous firms, including Tantita.
Ekerefe argued that the performance of Tantita under the leadership of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, had justified the Federal Government’s decision to both the award and renewal of the contract.
He asserted that crude oil losses had been reduced by 90 per cent under the company’s watch, attributing the successes to the deployment of modern surveillance tools such as drones and other sophisticated real-time monitoring equipments.
He said: “You may recall that before this contract was awarded to Tantita, the Nigerian Navy and Ocean Marine Solutions Limited were heavily funded to secure the pipelines, but oil output still declined to between 900,000 and 1.1 million barrels per day.
“As a concerned youth leader, I am yet to be convinced why there is a sustained call for decentralisation when Tantita has not only met, but exceeded expectations of the FG.
“Through the efficiency of Tantita, Nigeria has recovered nearly $8bn in annual oil revenue. Oil theft has been drastically curtailed, and production levels have significantly improved."
The former IYC spokesman also highlighted environmental and socio-economic gains in the Niger Delta, noting that illegal refining activities, locally known as “kpo-fire,” had reduced considerably, leading to improved living conditions.
On job creation and community development, Ekerefe stated that over 18,000 youths from the host communities had been directly engaged by the firm, alongside investments in healthcare, education, and small-scale enterprises.
“Our environment is now more habitable compared to a few years ago when illegal bunkering devastated our ecosystem and endangered lives.
“Tantita has one of the most impactful corporate social responsibility framework in Nigeria today. From medical interventions to infrastructure development and grants for SMEs, the company has empowered thousands of youths and women,” he said.
He expressed concern that some of those championing decentralisation were beneficiaries of the current structure, warning that such agitation could undermine progress made in securing oil infrastructure.
“Not many are comfortable that Tompolo is at the centre of this operation, but that does not diminish the company’s competence and capacity. If Tantita was not delivering, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not have renewed the contract in the first place,” he added.
Ekerefe called for restraint among stakeholders and urged dialogue to address any genuine concerns, rather than pursuing what he described as divisive demands.
“As a people, we must be strategic and coordinated. The focus should not be on personal gains but on economic development, environmental justice, and greater political inclusion for the Niger Delta,” he said.
