General John Abugor Writes President Tinubu, Maintains Nigeria Will Gain More if TOMPOLO Continues Pipeline Surveillance Contract

 

By Wilson Macaulay

A prominent leader of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Phase 3 an  ex-agitator in the Niger Delta, General John Abugor, from Ethiope West has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the Federal Government to sustain the pipeline surveillance contract currently handled by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited under the leadership of  High Chief Government  Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo.

In the letter made available to journalists at 

Oghara  headquarters of Ethiope West LGA , General  Abugor stressed that Nigeria stands to gain more economically and environmentally if the pipeline surveillance contract remains with Tantita, which he described as a proven and effective structure in safeguarding the nation’s oil infrastructure.

General  John Abugor the Niger Delta ex militant commended President Tinubu for believing in Tompolo’s capacity to protect Nigeria’s critical national assets, noting that the positive  results recorded since the  TANTITA is took over pipeline surveillance operations clearly demonstrate competence and dedication to national service.

According to him, Nigeria’s oil pipelines and related infrastructure represent the backbone of the nation’s economy and should not be subjected to political maneuvering or vested interests.

“Your Excellency, these national assets are too important to play politics with because their stability determines the health of our economy and the prosperity of the Nigerian people,” Abugor wrote.

He warned that calls by certain individuals and groups for the termination of the surveillance contract could undermine the progress made in curbing crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

Abugor maintained that since Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited began operations, the level of illegal oil bunkering and artisanal refining activities has significantly declined, resulting in improved environmental conditions across several oil-producing communities.

He explained that prior to the intervention of  TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited into Pipeline surveillance, the region  suffered severe ecological damage due to illegal refining activities, which polluted rivers, destroyed farmlands and exposed local residents to serious health risks.

“Today our rivers are gradually recovering, fishes are returning to the waters, and economic activities such as fishing and farming are blossoming  Rubber plantations ,palm trees. Yam , Plantain  and  other crops that were once threatened by oil spillage pollution are beginning to thrive again,” he stated.

General Abugor further noted that the surveillance efforts have saved many lives that would have otherwise been lost to the dangerous process of locally refining stolen crude oil into diesel and kerosene.

He therefore appealed passionately to President Tinubu not to be swayed by what he described as “enemies of Nigeria’s progress” who are spreading misleading narratives about the operations of the TANTITA 

Using a football analogy, the ex-agitator leader emphasized that replacing a system that is already producing positive results would be a costly mistake.

“In football, it is widely known that changing a winning team is often an invitation to disaster. Tantita has demonstrated competence and effectiveness. Wisdom demands that we consolidate success rather than discard it,” he noted.

General Abugor also used the opportunity to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Who is a man with listening ears. He also appreciated the Management team of the TSSNL for what he described as their outstanding commitment to protecting Nigeria’s oil facilities. He particularly thanked High Chief Dr Government Oweizide Ekpomupolo   aka Tompolo for proving his corporate  professionalism and dedication to national service.

He urged members of the National Assembly , The Senators, Members of the House of Representative, Ministers and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to prioritize Nigeria’s economic stability above personal interests.

Abugor concluded his appeal by calling on President Tinubu to strengthen the current surveillance structure and consider expanding its operational scope to further protect Nigeria’s oil assets.

According to him, sustaining the Tantita pipeline surveillance initiative would not only secure the country’s economic lifeline but also consolidate peace, environmental restoration and economic opportunities across the Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria in general.