Niger Delta youths, under the auspices of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF), yesterday commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for engaging Tantita Security Services to secure oil pipelines and fight against illegal bunkering in the region.
The commendation was part of a communique issued by the leadership of the group after a meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday August 17, 2024, and signed by vice president, Isekiri, Efejuku Patrick; president of Oro Nation, Chief Chris Ante; chairman of Annang, Hon Prince Idongesit; president of Isoko National Youth Assembly, Comrade Eniwake Orogun; chairman of Ijaw Youth Council, Collins Albert Nnah; president of Urhobo, Ughere Blessed, among others.
They said the meeting was basically to brainstorm on issues in the oil and gas industry and their impacts on sustainable peace and development in the region. They also harped on the importance of continuous engagement and constructive dialogue between the federal government and its agencies, particularly regulators in the oil and gas industry and the people of the Niger Delta.
They requested a meeting with the minister of state for Petroleum, the minister of state for Gas, the group managing director and CEO of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the minister for Niger Delta Development, the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), the CEO of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). and the chief executive of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to address key issues, develop tailored solutions to the concerns raised, and address other pertinent matters of mutual interest.
The communique reads in part, “We also wish to commend the Group Chief executive officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kolo Kyari, for engaging indigenous firms, such as Tantita Security Services, which has so far employed over 26,000 young people as vanguards in the fight against economic sabotage in the region, which is clearly yielding positive results Sustainable Development.”
However, the communique called for a renewed focus on sustainable development initiatives that directly benefit the communities in the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, they called for the full implementation of the PIA, saying the Act’s slow implementation is impeding the development of host communities.
They also commended NUPRC’s effort in managing divestment deals by major oil companies but called for the decommissioning of obsolete equipment and want it thoroughly addressed before approvals.
“We cannot accept the proposed sale of Shell’s onshore assets in the Niger Delta unless our people are granted the right of first refusal and are included in the process”, it added.
