PIPELINE SURVEILLANCE: INC TASKS STAKEHOLDERS ON COLLABORATION WITH TOMPOLO, MAKES CASE FOR FG'S EMPOWERMENT OF INDIGENT YOUTHS  

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State has tasked stakeholders in the Niger Delta to rid the region of unsafe acts and practices in the oil and gas sector by collaborating with High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, through the recently awarded pipeline surveillance contract by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

This was disclosed in a statement released by the INC Gbaramatu Kingdom on Thursday, 8 August 2022, and signed by its chairman and secretary, Mr. Monday Aboh Perekorede and Chief Anthony Igere, respectively.

The INC commended the Federal Government for the award of the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo, and offered its congratulations to him saying as a worthy son he deserves such contract having made huge significant contributions to the development of the oil-rich, but impoverished and polluted region.

The statement reads: “We commend the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for awarding this job of pipeline surveillance to the High Chief whose capacity to deliver on the job is well known. The INC also congratulates Tompolo who we appreciate for the good works he has been doing over the many years for the Ijaw Nation and the entire Niger Delta region. 

"We believe that, with this contract, Ijaw people and those communities affected by illegal bunkering activities will receive some respite. This is because if nothing is done now, the future will be bleak as the impact of illegal bunkering will be devastating.

“And so, as far as Tompolo can come up to agree with the Federal Government to stop oil theft, and to indirectly halt the pollution of our environment, we should support him by putting hands together to enable the High Chief execute the surveillance job successfully.”

The INC also frowned at those singing discordant tunes against the award of the pipeline surveillance contract, cautioning such individuals and groups to instead embrace the decision of the government and to collaborate with Tompolo in his execution of the job, while also appealing to the Federal Government to initiate empowerment programmes to dissuade many from venturing into illegal ventures as a means of livelihood.

“The surveillance contract was formerly with an Edo man and nobody went against the contract then. Now that it has come to the Ijaws, some persons are speaking ill on the job. To such persons we advice them that it is good they embrace the contract and work hand-in-hand with the High Chief for peace to reign and for a clean environment to be possible in the Niger Delta region as it is for the good of all.

“We are also appealing to the Federal Government to create means of livelihood for the unengaged youths in the region to discourage them from illegal activities. For example, the government can come to the grassroots through Tompolo to engage them on training so that they can find a way to fend for themselves legitimately. The rate of unemployment is too high and we all know that an idle mind is the Devil's workshop." the INC counseled 

Source: PENGlobal