A body of Ijaw youths under the umbrella of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Western Zone, has clarified that the award of pipeline surveillance contract awarded by the Federal Government to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL, a firm owned by High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, "was not on ethnic basis, but solely on the ground of competence".

The group's comment is in response to a call by the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the part of the pipeline surveillance contract on Urhobo land from the TSSNL.

In their issued statement signed by its chairman Comr. Nicholas Igarama, secretary Barr. Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo, and Information Officer Comr. Tare Magbei, the IYC stated that it was taken aback by the UPU's call which it not only described as "immaturity" but raised concerns that the body is losing its formation values as a critical organization.

The statement reads in part: "The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, receives with great displeasure, the call by the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) on President Bola Tinubu to remove the pipeline pipeline surveillance contract from Tantita Security Services Limited on Urhobo territory.

"Council is not only taken back by this display of grave immaturity by a critical organization such as the UPU. We are concerned that the body may have lost touch with its formation values, which include building strength in unity and good neighborliness.

"For the purpose of alarming the gullible general public with the right information, it is expedient to clarify that the contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited TSSNL, by the Federal Government was not on ethnic basis, but solely on the ground of competence.

"In fact, the contract was only awarded after an open bidding and rigorous screening processes that supposedly qualified Urhobos were not denied from taking part," the IYC added.

The IYC further stated that TSSNL, which has lived beyond expectations in the execution of the pipeline surveillance contract, before its inception, other contractor has been handling the contract but not a word had been issued by the UPU.

"The company has overtime lived out competence in delivering the terms of its contract with the Government, which is evident in the steady rise of the country's oil production volume as it approaches the 2 million bpd mark.

"To refresh our memories, this same job was handled by Capt. Hosa Okunbo of Edo State for more than 8 years, covering Urhobo territories without a word from the UPU perhaps because the company didn't stop illegal bunkering activities in their areas, that drastically reduced oil production volume of the country, making it difficult for other companies to operate," the IYC noted.

While stating that it is within the rights of the UPU to seek out the interest of its people, it should however desist from doing so through ethnic sentiments that could undermine TSSNL achievements and cause unrest especially in the already tensed atmosphere in the Warri Federal Constituency.

"It is within the rights of the UPU to seek perceived benefits due Urhobo nation from all arms of government. However, doing such at the altar of whipping ethnic sentiments is a misstep, too overt to ignore knowing fully well the number of Urhobo contractors working freely without issues or blackmail in Ijaw territories.

"This blunderous misstep if left uncorrected could snowball into a sustained blackmail against an Ijaw-owned firm and a further whip up of the already existing tension in Warri and environs.

"The IYC Western Zone by this means, charges the UPU to refrain from its attempt to undermine the groundbreaking achievements of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited as a frontline army in the fight against illegal oil bunkering, oil theft and protection of oil facilities within its coverage areas," they cautioned.

The IYC called on President Tinubu to expand the scope of the surveillance for TSSNL and to ignore the UPU's call as the company has performed well, and on Governor Sherifff Oborevwori's intervention to dissuade the Urhobos from their coordinated attacks on the Ijaws.

"We extend our calls to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore the calls from the UPU and all quarters to rescind Tantita's engagement based on the competence and impeccable results the company has consistently produced, as this calls are borne out of ethnic sentiments due to the management of TSSNL living up to its expectations. In fact, we call on the president to expand the scope of the running contract as Tantita's commitment to boosting the nation's oil production volumes is obviously unwavering.

"The Council also extends its call to Rt.Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori - Executive Governor of Delta State to as a matter of urgency, intervene and douse the brewing tension in Warri and environs, particularly the coordinated attacks on well meaning Ijaws by it's Urhobo brothers and Itsekiri's alike."

In conclusion, the IYC charged TSSNL "to remain resolute in its course to sustain the fight against oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and its all-around impactful Corporate Social Responsibilities approach."

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