TheCable

Oil-producing communities in Edo state have asked Government Ekpemupolo, ex-militant leader, better known as Tompolo, to involve them in the multi-million dollar pipeline surveillance contract he recently secured.

Tompolo’s contract is reportedly worth N48 billion annually (N4b per month).

The communities, under the aegis of Combine Force Blasters (CFB), made the call in a statement issued on Sunday.

They said they had no issue with Tompolo being awarded the contract, and commended the federal government’s decision to award the contract to someone with the pedigree to police the pipelines.

Omoluabi Daggo, the spokesperson of CFB, said Tompolo had been a key player in the struggle for the betterment of the Niger Delta region that produced the “golden egg” that is the country’s mainstay.

“We have no issue with Tompolo being awarded the contract since he is part of us and knows the history of the area as well as knowing what it takes to effectively carry out the assignment,” Daggo said.

“Indeed, we, just like other Nigerians with the interest of the country at heart, have been concerned about the level of crude oil theft.

“Apart from its consequences on the revenue stream of the country, vandalisation of pipelines has also affected the environment of the oil-producing communities.

“So, let it be noted that we have no problem whatsoever with Tompolo handling the project.”

Daggo said their only misgiving about the contract was the exclusion of oil-producing communities in Edo state.

He said they have watched Tompolo host some states on the subject matter and also the award of slots to various communities and militant generals.

“Though we are carefully waiting to hear from him, we are ready to cooperate with him to effectively protect and police the pipelines,” he added.

The decision to award the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo followed the massive crude oil theft that had seen a significant loss of daily oil production by the country.

Tompolo, on his part, had called for the understanding of all as regards the contract.

He pledged to give all stakeholders a sense of belonging and ensure that the generality of the people of the region was accommodated.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria’s north, the Amalgamated Arewa Youth Groups had demanded the termination of the contract.