The National leadership of Host Communities of Nigeria producing Oil and gas (HOSTCOM) has indicated that the crude oil surveillance contract awarded through the NNPC Ltd to Mr.Government Ekpemupolo will end oil and gas theft.
The HOSTCOM President, high chief (Dr.) Benjamin Style Tamaranebi (JP) in a statement on Sunday in Abuja said Nigeria’s national asset will be secured even more by engaging the host communities to also join hands with security agencies in protecting the facilities.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the award of the surveillance contract
“We thank President Buhari for the political will and statesmanship spirit in the right direction considering section 257 of the 2021 PIA, to award pipelines surveillance contract to our own, who have amongst others the competence and Capacity.”
He said the gesture will go a long to ending the way Nigeria has been bleeding profusely through oil and gas theft and the producing oil and states environmental desecration leading to the destruction of livelihood, and the irreparable health disorder killing the people.
He made reference to the reality of PIA which stands to cause harm to the communities as contained in section 257 sub section 2 and 3 which states that the Host Community annual 3% OPEX will be deducted, if there is any facility or infrastructure damage encountered in any community in the accounting year to the extent of the damage.
However, he said with the contract awarded to Aka Tompolo, we are confident that all the communities will be involved to secure and protect their communities and will not be deceived by any man or group of people from outside to cause mayhem to the pipelines.
“This is one of the best thing that has happened to the Host Communities, to stop the menace of crude oil theft and facilities vandalism that has caused the destruction of critical National assets over the period of time.
He said HOSTCOM Leadership has thrown its weight behind High Chief Tompolo to achieve and arrest those that are behind the scene in destroying the national economy and environment as no one is above the law.
“The organization will do all within its powers to ensure that High Chief Tompolo in collaboration with HOSTCOM in every Community producing oil and gas achieve huge success.
“With High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo Host Communities of Nigeria producing Oil and gas are confident that our part of agitation has been fulfilled on community inclusiveness.
“The synergy has been built and we will partner with him to achieve the needed SDG to keep our environment clean and provide jobs for all youths.
“Consequently, HOSTCOM is using this medium to warn any group or groups of persons who are in contention with the awarded surveillance contract to the Man with competence and capacity to desist from such unpatriotic witch hunting. He said they will not fold their arms to watch the interest of the Niger Delta region sabotaged by any section of the Country saying that rather the award should be seen as a welcome development at this time of gross disunity, insecurity and instability in our country’s history.
“We need coherent stability and unity for the growth of our national economy, via the increase in petroleum productivity without interference from any quarters and the time has finally come to end crude oil theft and Vandalism.
“The new synergy put in place by the President who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum with the choice of High Chief Tompolo, Host Communities of Nigeria producing Oil and gas and ex-agitators will give Nigeria fresh air and sigh of relief in the Nigeria oil and gas sector.
“The time has come when we must work as a team with a united front to end the crisis and menace of crude oil theft, illegal refineries in the region to keep our environment safe from now on for better Niger Delta and to say no to those who come to deceive Us.”