A former President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard calls for the cancellation of the oil and gas pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSS).
Eradiri described those advocating the termination of the contract as unpatriotic elements and enemies of Nigeria who are bent on dragging the Niger Delta back to the era of rampant crude oil theft, violence and instability.
According to him, the campaign against Tantita is being driven by conflict merchants and individuals motivated by jealousy and resentment toward the firm’s founder, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
Eradiri, who served as Secretary-General of the IYC during the height of militancy in the Niger Delta, said it was surprising that some people could oppose a company that had contributed significantly to stabilising security and peace in the oil-producing region.
He noted that the surveillance contract remained one of the positive initiatives inherited and sustained by the Tinubu administration, stressing that it had helped curb illegal oil bunkering and improved crude oil production.
The former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths and later Environment recalled that before the contract was awarded, groups such as the IYC and the Ijaw National Congress (INC) had long demanded greater participation of host communities in the protection of oil and gas facilities located in their areas.
He said the Federal Government responded by engaging Tompolo and his company because of his strong community ties, organisational capacity and discipline.
Eradiri further noted that since Tantita and its partners, including Malon Engineering led by Chief Mathew Tonlagha, took over the contract, they had ensured that its benefits were spread among various stakeholders across the Niger Delta.
He added that the Managing Director of Tantita, Keston Pondei, and Tonlagha had also demonstrated generosity by supporting vulnerable people and investing in community development initiatives in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
Eradiri, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), said the company had created employment opportunities for thousands of youths across the nine Niger Delta states, thereby reducing restiveness and improving livelihoods in the region.
He observed that festive seasons in recent years, as well as travel along major highways such as the East-West Road, had become relatively peaceful, attributing the improvement partly to youth engagement through Tantita’s operations.
Eradiri also alleged that political opponents of President Tinubu were behind the campaign against the company because of Tompolo’s support for the President and his perceived ability to mobilise votes for him ahead of the 2027 elections.
He appealed to Tinubu to consider the gains already achieved through the contract and explore ways to expand it rather than cancel or reduce its scope.
“Tantita Security Services providing security for oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta is one of the positive things the administration has sustained. It came about as a response to conflicts that had reduced oil production in the region,” he said.
“The government listened to the agitation of youths and stakeholders in the Niger Delta who wanted to participate in protecting the resources in their communities. Tompolo demonstrated the discipline and organisational capacity required to work with the Federal Government.
“Since then, oil production has improved and investor confidence is gradually returning. Many young people across Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Abia states are now gainfully engaged.
“Anyone calling for the cancellation of the contract does not mean well for the country. We should focus on the progress we have made rather than returning to where we were.”
Eradiri also commended Tompolo for what he described as his personal discipline and commitment to maintaining peace in the region, noting that despite his influence and resources, he prefers to remain within his community to coordinate efforts aimed at protecting critical oil infrastructure.
He further praised Tonlagha, Managing Director of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, describing him as a respected figure in the oil and gas engineering sector and a key partner in sustaining peace and development in the Niger Delta.
