Barring any last-minute change, former
militants and self determination groups will
today begin the execution of the N9.3b
waterways and oil pipelines contracts.
A memo from the Presidency directed the
ex-militants,
led by Government
Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), Mujaheedin
Asari-Dokubo and Chief Bipobiri Ajube (aka
Gen. Shoot-At-Sight) to take over Nigerian
waterways and oil pipeline protection from
the police and the Nigerian Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as from March
16.
But the contract execution was said to
have been delayed because it was
uncertain whether the incoming
administration would revoke it.
It was learnt that some of the ex-militants
did not have enough arms to man the
pipelines and needed more time to get
well-equipped for the job.
The Federal Government, it was learnt, is
set to make a two-month payment out of
the N9.3billion contract sum to the
beneficiaries through the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The exact amount to be paid could not be
ascertained last night.
The security agencies will hand over to the
militants today, a source said last night.
The contract was signed on March 16. The
companies are owned by some former
Niger Delta militants and prominent
citizens, including founder of the Oodua
Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr. Frederick
Fasehun who confirmed that his company
was being considered for the multi-billion
naira contract.
The OPC National co-ordinator, Otunba
Gani Adams, also confirmed to have been
awarded the contract, saying it would
provide jobs for his “boys”.
Seven companies have been allocated
“regions” or operational areas as follows:
Egbe Security River One (Bayelsa); Gallery
Security (Mosinmi-Ore); Close Body
Protection (Edo State); Adex Energy
Security(Rivers) ; Donyx Global Concept
(Lagos and Ogun); Oil Facilities
Surveillance – (Delta) and New Age Global
Security (Mosinmi-Ibadan).
The Federal Government was said to have
appointed one Engr. Molokwu from the
NNPCV Energy and Technical Department
as the coordinator.
It was learnt that in 2009, a former Minister
of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Ufot Ekaette,
presented a memo to the Federal Executive
Council for the award of the N1.8billion
Kurutie Shoreline Protection and
Reclamation contract.
A company, KFT Kpudoh, allegedly owned
by Tompolo and another called Phoenica
Nigeria Limited, bid for the said contract.
Based on the advice of the Bureau of
Public Procurement, after a thorough
technical audit, the Shoreline Protection
and Reclamation Contract was awarded to
Phoenica Nigeria Limited by FEC.
But the award of the contract to Phoenica
fetched Ekaette death threats. The
government later reviewed the contract.
A source in Warri, Delta State, said the
contract for pipelines in Delta State would
be executed by Oil Field Surveillance
Limited, the same company, which had
previously handled it. It is owned by
Tompolo.
Nigeria has been battling with huge
revenue due to vandalism of oil and gas
pipeline.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral
Usman Jibrin, recently announced that
Nigeria had been losing an estimated
100,000 barrels of crude oil valued at N1.18
billion daily to oil thieves. This amounts to
an annual loss of N433.62 billion.
Pipeline vandalism is said to have led to
shortage of gas for firing power plants.
The electricity market, which has 5,500MW
installed capacity now generates an
average of 3,575.85MW following paucity
of gas as vandals who always strike
whenever the sector is about to hit
4,500MW”.
Adams was quoted as saying that
President Goodluck Jonathan deserves
praise for approving a contract for the OPC
to protect pipelines across the South-West.
Wide criticisms trailed the president’s
approval of the contracts. A Senior
Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Niyi
Akintola, described the plan as an act of
corruption which has no precedent
anywhere in the world.“Why must we
encourage the establishment and
operation of ex-militants in securing our
oil pipelines? What is the responsibility of
the Police and the Navy if the ex-militants
are to be saddled with the responsibility?”
he asked.
Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo blasted the
Federal Government for conceiving the idea
in the first place, saying: “It is
irresponsible of the Federal Government to
give up part of its security to individuals.
The money that would be given to such
people should be used to equip the Police
and the Navy. If this is done, they will
perform better.”
Retired Police Commissioner Abubarkar
Tsav blamed the plan on the desperation
of President Jonathan to win the election
at all costs.
Second Republic lawmaker Dr Junaid
Mohammed said: “You can’t hire out the
functions of the government to an
individual no matter how connected they
are…”
