The Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), a human rights body, has said that oil thieves are blackmailing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over pipeline security.
Barrister Alaowei, E. Cleric, Chairman, Board of Trustees, CHURAC, in a statement, said that with the barrage of opposition against the decision of the NNPC Limited to award oil pipeline surveillance contract to private security companies, it had become clear that the oil thieves had been fighting back through emotional blackmail.
He said: “We are surprised that nearly all the public opprobrium is against the one awarded to the company linked to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).
He disclosed that the NNPC Limited had awarded the same contract to several private companies, even before Tompolo’s company won the bid, adding that the truism was that most of those companies which had the contract barely took steps to fight the unchecked illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.
“To the chagrin of these economic saboteurs and their paid armchair critics, Tompolo’s company, TSSNL, is taking the fight to their doorsteps by exposing the oil syndicates and the cartels siphoning the oil in the region.
“To survive the illegal business, these oil thieves have embarked on different adventures to blackmail NNPC Limited and the Federal Government into submission.
“The lawsuit instituted by One Love Foundation in Suit No FHC/ABJ/1723)2022 against the NNPC Limited over the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to TSSNL is audible to the deaf and clear to the blind that illegal bunkers are fighting back, clutching on any straw to survive in their illicit business.
“We have instructed our legal team to study the case carefully. We will not hesitate to file for a joinder to defend NNPC Limited and TSSNL if the need arises. We’re solidly behind NNPC Limited for awarding the contract to Tompolo’s Company,” he stressed.
By Ejikeme Omenazu (independent)