Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups, has rallied support on the award of multi-million dollar pipeline surveillance contract to Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
The group also called for similar measures by the Federal Government on securing other critical national assets, including rail lines, to complement efforts of the armed forces.
Tompolo, a former militant leader and Commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), had his licence for pipeline surveillance renewed by the government.
Addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Kaduna, Spokesperson of the Coalition, Malam Aminu Abbas, distanced themselves from an earlier report by another Northern group who kicked against the Federal Government’s insight on awarding and renewing the contract.
“The condemnation call is baseless hence, we distance the good people of Northern Nigeria from such action of some group in the name of Arewa,” he said.
Abbas noted that what was expected of any concerned Northern Group at such time, was to engage all stakeholders from within and outside the region on how best to address the lingering problem of insecurity and bringing it to a logical end.
Abbas said that at times like this when Nigeria was facing insecurity challenges, it justified the Federal Government and NNPC’s action of contracting pipeline surveillance as step in the right direction.
“It is our request and agitation for the government to protect people and property in the North and the entire country just as they have begun a move outside the usual way.
‘We feel it is high time the government and people of our region reached out to respected people like Tompolo and other brave and gallant individuals to deploy their native strength and expertise to assist our conventional security agencies on security within and outside our region.
“Considering Tompolo’s vast experience and capacity in peace and conflict resolution, there is nothing wrong if the Federal Government engage such peoples’ services to help secure other critical economic prone infrastructure facilities,” he said.
Abbas expressed confidence that government’s contract to Tompolo’s company was based on his track record, dedication to the nation and his familiarity with the terrain, noting that it would help reduce oil theft and bunkering by over 85 per cent.
He stressed the need to join hands in building Nigeria by eschewing all forms of ethnic sentiments.
“The Federal Government has done the right thing by awarding the contract to Tompolo for protecting part of our vital national wealth and infrastructure,” Abbas said.
He thanked President Buhari for taking the decision, noting that Nigeria’s National asset would be more secured by engaging the host communities to join hands with security agencies in protecting the facilities which would boost the economy.
“Nigeria as a country depends on the proceeds from the sale of crude oil and when such facilities are being destroyed on daily basis, the production and sales of oil reduce drastically.
“We as a Coalition have decided to come out in mass within seven days to thank President Buhari for taking the decision that will secure our national assets,” Abbas said.
