• About Us
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ Podcast
  • Contact
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Freelanews
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Freelanews
No Result
View All Result
Home General

‘Right decision’ NNPC explains why multi-billion naira pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo

Freelanews by Freelanews
August 31, 2022
in General
0
Freelanews-

The Nigerian government on Tuesday described its award of multi-billion naira pipeline surveillance contract to a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as the ‘right decision’.

Speaking at the 49th session of the state house briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, Mele Kyari, the chief executive officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, said 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.

Mr Kyari argued that it was not the first time that individuals within the Niger Delta region were awarded contracts for pipeline surveillance.

The clarification came amid reports that NNPC Limited had awarded a pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo.

The surveillance contract is reportedly worth N48 billion per year (N4 billion per month), according to a report by The Nation.

Several militant groups in the region are reportedly angry with the federal government for leaving them out of the juicy contract, threatening to make the surveillance contract unworkable.

On Tuesday, Mr Kyari said that the federal government is not dealing directly with Tompolo but a private contractors company he has interests in.

“The security agencies are doing their part, end-to-end pipeline surveillance would require the involvement of private entities and community stakeholders,” Mr Kyari said.

“We need private contractors to man the right of way to these pipelines. So we put up a framework for contractors to come and bid and they were selected through a tender process. And we believe we made the right decision.”

According to Mr Kyari, the decision was aimed at achieving three broad objectives.

He said: “First, to ensure the government’s security agencies play their part, we have our Navy, the Army and they are doing an excellent job of containing this, but as you do this sustenance is everything and therefore we also decided that we need private contractors to man the right of way and also operate outside the right of way so that they can also join us to manage members of the community.

“We don’t have access to that and therefore, we put up a framework where contractors were selected through a tender process for people who can do it, not everyone can do it and Tompolo is just mentioned, we’re dealing with corporate entities.

“He may have interest in the company, we’re not dealing with Tompolo, but we know that he has interests in that company.

“We know that we’re engaging all other individuals who will be of help to us in this situation. This has happened severally over time and the result was that it was contained under a process like this and we believe that we are taking the right decision,” Mr Kyari said.

Okowa Speaks

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, on Tuesday, the Delta state governor and the Peoples Democratic Party Vice-Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, commended the Nigerian government for awarding the contract to a firm owned by Tompolo.

The award, he said, indicated that the government listened to him on how to review oil facilities surveillance contracts and integrate oil-bearing communities to check rising cases of oil theft, an idea he suggested when a Federal Government delegation on oil-theft issues visited him recently in Asaba.

He said the state was happy to hear that just a few days after the visit, the federal government listened to Mr Okowa’s advice and awarded the surveillance contract to Tompolo.

He noted that giving jobs to people from Niger Delta would give them a sense of belonging and help to curtail the rising incidence of oil theft with its attendant effect on the nation’s economy.

Mr Okowa said it was high time host communities, which suffer severe impacts of oil exploration and exploitation in the region, were considered partners in the oil production process.

According to him, awarding surveillance contracts to indigenes was the way to go since they know the terrain well and would put in their best to guard oil facilities.

“Our governor’s admonition was that to check the rising oil theft cases, the Federal Government should involve the oil-bearing communities, where the oil is produced,” the statement said.

“And, to involve them, the surveillance contracts for oil facilities surveillance in the area should be reviewed.

“In other words, make them own it, let them be partners because if you make them part of it, they will guard, police and protect it.

“They will do anything to make sure that they protect it, but if you alienate them from it, they will leave it and allow anything to happen to it.”

Mr Okowa claimed that across Niger Delta, the government’s step was applauded and commended because it is not just for Tompolo but to the host communities.

“The good thing here is that the federal government heeded good counsel by accepting the advice of our governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, by giving the surveillance contract to Tompolo,” he said.

“So, we are commending the government for listening to the cries of host communities, because if they cannot own the oil blocks, let them, at the least, participate in the ones they can,” he said.

 

freelanews
Freelanews

Freelanews is a potpourri of news, entertainment, business, events and photos. This is no fake news.

Related Posts

Isaac Fayose
General

President Tinubu, you have to be wicked, Fayose’s brother urges (Video)

by Freelanews
February 2, 2024
IMG 20210819 WA0091
General

Nigeria Police Force apologizes to Olu of Warri over erroneous invitation

by Oreoluwa Ojelabi
March 19, 2024
NIN Passport
General

Nigerians to start paying for NIN verification when applying for international passport

by Quadri Olaitan
March 14, 2023
Dapo Abiodun.ok
General

‘Deadlocked’ Strike continues in Ogun as labour rejects govt offer

by Freelanews
June 30, 2022
2Baba confirms separation from Annie Idibia
General

2Baba confirms separation from wife Annie, faces backlash from fans, celebrities

by Quadri Olaitan
January 28, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

Recent News

Elegant man in black suit and tie, formal attire, professional settings, business or news context.

Cubana Chiefpriest mocks Burna Boy, hails Davido

October 29, 2025
Modern white government building with a green dome, tropical palm trees, and clear skies in the background, reflecting classical architecture and tropical urban development in a coastal city.

National Assembly security threat raises alarm

October 29, 2025
NDLEA

NDLEA cracks down on illegal drug parties in Lagos

October 29, 2025
Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman shines in Atalanta’s fierce Milan draw

October 29, 2025

Search

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Political persecution in Ogun State

Political persecution in Ogun State: Abiodun moves against Otunba Gbenga Daniel with demolition threats again

August 9, 2025
Omoge Saida

Omoge Saida sparks Nigerian social media over leaked video

October 28, 2025
APC Second-Term Governors

APC: Second-term governors seeking immediate elective post to lose party leadership

October 15, 2025
April Wind Couture

April Wind Couture thrives in Nigeria’s tough economy with bold Ankara vision

September 12, 2025
amoke

‘Meals by Amoke’ We serve traditional dishes in a modern way, Bukoye Fasola reveals

19
Image 2024 03 26 at 120645 AM jpeg

Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu call on communities to #MakeWeHalla against domestic violence

11
Meran Primary Health Centre Lagos father Meran hospital

Lagos father shares heartbreaking experience at Meran Primary Health Centre (Photos)

4
fls2

‘Disarticulated system’ Gov’t confused about Nigerian education, expert laments

3
Elegant man in black suit and tie, formal attire, professional settings, business or news context.

Cubana Chiefpriest mocks Burna Boy, hails Davido

October 29, 2025
Modern white government building with a green dome, tropical palm trees, and clear skies in the background, reflecting classical architecture and tropical urban development in a coastal city.

National Assembly security threat raises alarm

October 29, 2025
NDLEA

NDLEA cracks down on illegal drug parties in Lagos

October 29, 2025
Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman shines in Atalanta’s fierce Milan draw

October 29, 2025
October 2025
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« Sep    
Freelanews

Freelanews is a Nigerian digital news platform that delivers timely, credible, and engaging stories across politics, business, entertainment, lifestyle, and the creative industry, with a strong focus on promoting innovation, integrity, and inclusivity in storytelling.

Hot!

Elegant man in black suit and tie, formal attire, professional settings, business or news context.

Cubana Chiefpriest mocks Burna Boy, hails Davido

October 29, 2025
Modern white government building with a green dome, tropical palm trees, and clear skies in the background, reflecting classical architecture and tropical urban development in a coastal city.

National Assembly security threat raises alarm

October 29, 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertisement
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.