Oil War Looms: Fierce Backlash Trails Moves To Tamper With Tantita Contract
By Paul Ebi
The Association of Tantita Field Workers (ATFW) has issued a strong warning against any attempt to politicize or tamper with the pipeline surveillance contract handled by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, describing the outfit as a “proven national asset” critical to Nigeria’s economic stability.
In a press statement released on Monday, the group emphasized that the contract, which focuses on securing vital oil and gas infrastructure across the Niger Delta, must remain insulated from political interference or sectional interests.
The association noted that since its inception, Tantita has demonstrated a high level of reliability and effectiveness in curbing pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and insecurity in the region—issues that have long plagued Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy.
Throwing its full weight behind the leadership of Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, the group credited his stewardship with driving measurable progress in restoring peace and stability across oil-producing communities.
According to the statement, the company’s operations have led to sustained calm in previously volatile riverine areas, while also fostering inclusive participation through subcontracting arrangements involving local stakeholders.
The ATFW further highlighted the socio-economic impact of the surveillance initiative, citing the employment of thousands of youths across the Niger Delta, as well as the empowerment of emerging entrepreneurs. It added that environmental sanitation efforts carried out under the contract have improved livelihoods, particularly for local fishing communities.
“These contributions have not only enhanced security but have also created a more enabling environment for business activities and safe movement within the region,” the statement read.
Amid growing calls in some quarters for the decentralization of the surveillance contract, the association urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resist such pressures, warning that any restructuring could jeopardize the gains recorded so far.
“The progress achieved under Tantita’s operations should not be undermined by policy shifts driven by politics rather than performance,” the group stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to the protection of Nigeria’s oil assets, the association called on the Federal Government to sustain its trust in Tantita, stressing that continuity remains key to long-term peace and economic resilience in the Niger Delta.
The statement was jointly signed by Hon. Clever Agbe (Chairman), Paul Iginiwei (Secretary General), and other executive members spanning Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Edo States.
The development is expected to further intensify the ongoing debate over the management of pipeline surveillance contracts in Nigeria’s oil-rich region, with stakeholders divided over whether centralization or decentralization offers the best path to sustainable security and development
