Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has given reasons why the federal government should not renew the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to ex-militant leader, Chief Ekpemupolo Government, popularly known as Tompolo.
NYCN secretary-general, Comr. Mustapha Hassan in a statement said that the country was too tense to allow for any action that may breed internal turmoil within the ranks of its citizenry.
The group stressed that the contract awarded to Tompolo has resulted in more controversies in the Niger Delta and amongst the elites in the country since its award.
He said, “Beyond the economic sabotage, the federal government recorded loss of military personnel as well as equipment. Secondly, the recent scramble for the contract by the ex- militant leaders in the Niger Delta region is mainly because of the notion that if Tompolo’s rascality can be rewarded by the Federal Government, they should all be carried along.
“We recall that when the pipelines surveillance contract was handled by Ocean Marine of Late Capt Hosa Okubor, these myriad issues were non-existent chiefly because they were seen as competent hands without blemish. As a group, we urge Mr President to desist from granting contracts that may seem to encourage restiveness and criminality,” the group stressed.
The group added that it was obvious to Nigerians that there is no significant rise in the oil production quantum since the contract was awarded to Tompolo.
