Urhobo Stakeholders Rejects Call To Terminate Tantita Contract By UPU, Says Over 3,500 Urhobos Are Benefiting From Tantita -

By Esther David

President Generals from all Urhobo communities and Coordinators of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited have openly rejected the call by the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) urging the Federal Government to terminate the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita.

At a press briefing held in Ughelli and attended by over 2,000 Tantita employees, the stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, insisting that no company in the region’s history has engaged and empowered Urhobo youths like Tantita.

They revealed that over 3,500 Urhobo youths are currently employed by Tantita across 88 communities in 16 Kingdoms of Urhobo land.

“As of today, Tantita employs over 3,500 Urhobo indigenes covering 88 Urhobo communities in 16 Urhobo Kingdoms, making Tantita the highest employer of labour in Urhobo land,” the statement declared.
The stakeholders explained that Tantita’s model of security operations ensures full community inclusion, with oil-bearing communities directly involved in safeguarding pipelines.

“Anyone familiar with Tantita’s operations knows that all oil-bearing communities participate directly in securing facilities within their territories.
In Ijaw land, they provide the bulk of patrol teams; the same is true of the Itsekiri, Isoko, Kwale, and most certainly Urhobo communities.”
“Almost 4,000 Urhobo indigenes earn a monthly wage as Tantita operatives and coordinators. From Iwhremeragha to Unenurhie, from Kokori to Oguname-Olomu, from Ovwiamuge-Agbarho to Ugbomro, from Mosogar to Ibada-Elume to Arhavwarhien, Tantita is on the ground through Urhobo indigenes. These communities amongst many others are protecting the nation’s national assets in collaboration with Tantita.”
“Every single kilometre of pipeline traversing Urhobo land is protected by Urhobo indigenes 100%. Every community in Urhobo land has been given slots as operatives and coordinators and are responsible for the safekeeping of the pipelines in their domain.”
The stakeholders further emphasized that Tantita’s operations have significantly curbed crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and environmental degradation.

“For over two years now, Tantita’s Urhobo coordinators and operatives have worked hard to reduce vandalism, oil theft, illegal refining, and environmental degradation to the barest minimum. No one, not a single community, has complained about their performance.”
“Tantita, with her state-of-the-art technological capacity and extraordinary managerial skills, has managed to make the work look effortless; therefore, every ignorant person thinks, ‘I can do it just as well!’”
Responding to the UPU’s publication, the coordinators questioned the legitimacy of its claims.

“Nigerians must understand that people who use socio-cultural organizations are being misled by the information at their disposal and as such should be disregarded.”
“The opening paragraph of the UPU publication claimed that a resolution was reached at ‘a General Assembly of the Urhobo people’ rejecting Tantita’s operations in Urhobo land. We, however, question the authenticity of such an assembly—can they produce the minutes of that meeting, the notice of the assembly, and the date it was held?”
They warned that this form of political entrepreneurship is dangerous to Urhobo unity.

“This form of entrepreneurship runs contrary to the tenets of the UPU and all Urhobos must rise against this debasement of their values as we will continue to uphold the values of the UPU Constitution to foster the spirit of love, mutual understanding and brotherhood among Urhobo people, good neighborliness with non-Urhobo people, and Nigeria in general.”
Speaking on behalf of all President Generals, Chief Ukpebitere, the President General of Evwreni Community, cautioned against actions that could disrupt the peaceful relationship between Tantita and the Urhobo Nation.

“No one should bring division between the Urhobo Nation and Tantita Security Services Limited for personal greed and interest.”
He called on all Urhobo indigenes to disregard such publications and continue working harmoniously with Tantita’s management.

The event concluded with a unanimous vote of confidence passed on High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Mr. Kestin Pondi, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, and the management of Tantita Security Services.

The motion was raised by the National President of the Urhobo Youth Council, Mr. Godspower Enerho, and overwhelmingly supported by attendees.

Source: GbaramatuVoice News