IYC ex-president faults calls for cancellation of Tompolo’s contract

By Philip  Eke, Yenagoa

former President of the Ijaw Youths Council, Worldwide, Udengs Eradiri, has faulted the calls for the cancellation of the oil and gas security surveillance contract awarded to the Tantita Security Services.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to ignore those behind the call.

Eradiri insisted that those he termed ‘un-progressive’ elements, enemies of the country and conflict merchants’ were behind such calls, saying such individuals were only interested in returning the Niger Delta to the dark days of illegal oil bunkering, violence and bloodshed.

He said it was shocking that some people could, out of envy and hatred for former Niger Delta agitator, Government Ekpemepulo Tompolo, the founder of TSS, be against the firm that had done a lot to stabilise the security and peace of the region.The former Commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa State further said such persons were not happy that the activities of Tompolo and Tantita had stabilised the regionEradiri, recalled that prior to the contract, the IYC, the Ijaw National Congress and other agitators had clamoured for local participation in the protection of oil and gas facilities in their domains.

He said, “Tantita Security Service that is providing security for oil gas infrastructures in the Niger Delta is one of the positive things that the administration has sustained. It came about from the conflict that had led to the decline of oil production in the region and the government wanted a permanent solution to the problem.

“Many foreign investments are coming into the Niger Delta and it is already creating a lot of engagements and jobs for our people. If anybody is supporting the cancellation of that contract, the person does not mean well for our country. It is surprising that people will bring such issue, discussed it, suggesting that it should be cancelled.

“These people don’t know where we are coming from and when the chips are down, you will never find them. I call on the President to ignore such calls. Let’s look at the gains we have made versus where we are coming from. Are we making progress? Yes, we are.

“In fact in Bayelsa, in Rivers, Imo, Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Abia many young people are involved. Many of them are living a decent life because of what Tompolo is doing. Many people will take this job, keep the money to themselves and become lords in the region”.

Eradiri said the discipline so far displayed by Tompolo deserved to be studied adding that despite the resources available at his disposal, he chose to live with his people in the communities, always strategising to keep the peace