The House of Representatives has pledged support to companies contracted by the Federal Government to protect the nation’s oil and gas assets, including Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), the military and other security agencies in the war against crude oil theft and saboteurs.
The House gave the assurance during an on-the-spot inspection of vessels apprehended by Tantita in collaboration with other security outfits by members of associated Committees on oil and gas at Oporoza, Warri Southwest council area of Delta State on Friday.
They also had a brief meeting with Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, former freedom fighter and owner of TSSNL.
Leader of the delegation, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Special Committee on Oil theft, said they were directed by the House leadership assess the development in recent times and report back to parliament.
Commending Tantita for the good work it is doing so far, Doguwa said: “When you find someone doing a very good job you have to support him. To whom much is given much is expected. So I want to tell you without any fear of contradiction what Tantita is doing here is quite a commendable job. We the committee have commended him and we must see to it that whatever is due for him must to be given to him”.
He said the committee on crude oil theft came to see for themselves what was actually happening around the shores of oil and gas industry in the Niger Delta, stressing that the House was concerned about the rise in crude oil prices.
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“We are also not unmindful of the fact that there was recent arrest of oil vessels- first, second and third instance by the security agencies generally, around the shores of the waters within the Niger Delta area.
“So we came to see for ourselves and were able to visit the site of this arrested vessels and persons on behalf of the National Assembly, especially in the House of Representatives.
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“This is relevant to committee chairman of the oil and gas committees in the House of Representatives, as we are all out to see to the increased production of our oil and gas industry,” he said.
He added that the visit has afforded them the opportunity to see a complete sense of determination and commitment by the Nigerian security agencies, alongside the support of private companies that have been doing well for the protection of the nation’s assets.
Tantita’s Executive Director, Operations, Captain Warriedi Enisuoh, briefed the lawmakers on how the vessel was arrested.
Enisuoh, who took them round the vessel, said that the arrest would not have been possible without the support of the security forces and NSCDC.
He said they have handed over the suspects to security agencies, adding that those who were marketing the ship for business must have been invited by security agencies.
