Since the discovery of oil in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, in 1956, Nigeria’s economic development has been intrinsically linked to oil revenue. However, the persisting threat of oil theft and vandalism of crude oil infrastructure has posed a significant challenge to the nation’s prosperity. Recognising the gravity of this issue, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) took a decisive action by awarding the contract for securing oil pipelines and preventing oil theft to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL). CHINAKA OKORO reports.
The move to engage TSSNL in safeguarding critical national infrastructure has proven to be a strategic decision, with stakeholders lauding the successes achieved in curtailing oil theft. The effectiveness of TSSNL’s surveillance and security measures has brought about a positive shift in the protection of the nation’s lifeline, prompting calls for the continued involvement of TSSNL in this crucial role.
The battle against oil theft requires not only robust security measures but also sustained commitment and expertise. TSSNL’s track record in mitigating risks associated with oil pipelines has positioned them as a reliable partner in preserving Nigeria’s economic backbone. As stakeholders advocate for the continued collaboration with TSSNL, the imperative of securing oil infrastructure remains at the forefront of efforts to ensure the nation’s sustainable development. In the development process of any society, certain assets contribute to the advancement of society and its people. These assets ensure economic or monetary benefits for the people. These assets could be regarded as operating assets, non-operating assets or leased assets, among others.
Experts have noted that “those possessions or assets that are known as national infrastructure are those facilities, systems, sites, information, people, networks and processes that are necessary for a country to function and upon which daily life depends.”
Critical national infrastructure serves as the backbone of a society, encompassing assets, services, and systems pivotal to economic, political, and social well-being. From schools and hospitals to industries and transportation networks, these elements collectively contribute to a nation’s resilience and prosperity. Among these, Nigeria’s crude oil industry takes centre stage as a crucial component vital to the nation’s economic stability, public health, safety, and security.
Regrettably, the vulnerability of critical infrastructure is heightened by the actions of individuals and groups with destructive motives. Deliberate acts of vandalism, theft, or sabotage pose serious threats to the proper functioning of essential systems, leading to economic losses, compromised security, and potential harm to citizens. In this context, safeguarding critical national infrastructure becomes paramount to maintaining national security and averting widespread disruptions.
Nigeria, being heavily reliant on oil revenue, faces unique challenges in securing its crude oil infrastructure. The concerted efforts of entities like Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) play a crucial role in defending these vital lifelines. As attacks on critical infrastructure can have far-reaching consequences, protecting these sites becomes an integral aspect of national security strategy.
The ongoing battle against oil theft and vandalism requires a multi-faceted approach, combining advanced security measures, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with local communities. By recognising the intrinsic link between safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring the nation’s stability, Nigeria can fortify its defence against those seeking to undermine its economic and social foundations.
Nigeria’s struggle to meet its petroleum quota set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has been a longstanding challenge, primarily attributed to the disruptive actions of non-state actors. These actors often claim marginalisation, neglect, or injustice as reasons for their agitation, leading to recurrent disruptions in oil production. Pipeline vandalism has become an unfortunate and persistent phenomenon, jeopardizing the nation’s economic stability.
Recognising the imperative of safeguarding its critical oil infrastructure, the Nigerian government, under the leadership of Managing Director Mele Kyari of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), took decisive steps to address these challenges. The initiation of measures to prevent production disruptions and protect oil pipelines marked a strategic move toward fortifying the nation’s economic lifelines.
In this context, the decision to contract out the surveillance of oil pipelines has proven instrumental in mitigating the impact of vandalism. The proactive efforts undertaken by the NNPCL, particularly under Mele Kyari’s leadership, have demonstrated a commitment to defending critical national infrastructure. The importance of sustaining this vigilance cannot be overstated, as oil lifelines remain central to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
As the battle against vandalism and production disruptions continues, it underscores the need for a comprehensive and collaborative strategy. Advanced security measures, intelligence gathering, and community engagement all play pivotal roles in fortifying the defenses of Nigeria’s vital oil infrastructure. By maintaining this vigilance, the nation can not only protect its economic interests but also ensure the stability and resilience of its energy sector in the face of persistent challenges.
In the past few years, the Mele Kyari-led management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has shown enough know-how in protecting Nigeria’s national wealth as it concerns the war against oil theft and its effects on national security.
Stakeholders such as Eshanakpe Israel popularly known as Akpodoro and Mayor of Urhobo land have been examining the successes of the NNPCL in securing the oil pipeline since contracting the security of the pipeline to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) and the entire national security as it concerns the dwindling fortunes of oil thieves in the creeks of the Niger Delta region.
Interested parties, including Akpodoro, have been wondering how the security of the pipelines has become topnotch since Tantita was involved in securing the oil pipelines. Nigerians have been trying to unravel the magic wand applied as an elixir by the management of NNPCL to stem the tide of banditry in the Nigerian territorial waters vis-a-vis the national security situation.
It should be noted that before the Nigerian joint venture partner decided to cede security of the surveillance security contract of oil facilities in the Delta to TSSNL, the country’s wealth plummeted hopelessly as all enemies of the state became interested in illicit oil bunkering; which, ultimately exerted pressure on the national security architecture snowballing into other areas of national insecurity.
For instance, it is been alleged that money from oil theft formed part of what was used to fund banditry and other forms of insurrection in other parts of the country. For several years, the enemies of the state who vandalise oil pipelines and steal the national asset-crude oil- have been deploying the proceeds of their criminal endeavours to wreak havoc on society. It took Kyari’s NNPCL boldness to halt the trend and award the surveillance security contract to Tantita Security Services Limited as Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, also known as Tompolo as its Chief Executive Officer to wage war against political and business elites who seriously engage in oil theft by proxies. Such a development is said to have elicited several restiveness in some parts of the country.
The threat to national security became loudening when the illicit trade in oil theft boomed. Stakeholders alleged that foreign collaborators were recruited massively while the so-called security agencies bribed their way into the Delta region, paid returns to the authorities that posted them and ultimately undermined the security of the country.
Experts in the oil industry had raised the alarm of threats to security through the country’s waterways due to the compromise of national security by those who were paid to secure the wealth of the country. As good luck would have it, TSSNL became the game-changer when it was awarded the contract to secure the oil pipelines and Nigeria’s waterways. Not even the senior oil workers were exempted from the horrid phenomenon that once characterised the oil industry as most of them were alleged to have sponsored protests, overtly and covertly engaged and or aided oil theft vandalism in exchange for money.
Additionally and most importantly is the attitude of boisterous individuals who deliberately paint ethnic colourations in otherwise political confrontations and thereby issue threats to vandalise oil facilities in the creeks over conflict of interests which, of course, can be easily resolved through the intervention of notable political leaders in the country. Observers say the situation exerts much pressure on national security.
Experts in oil matters have said the negative impact of oil theft in Nigeria assumed international proportion as Nigeria became a hub for oil thieves across the globe until the Kyari-led NNPCL decided to recruit TSSNL for the rescue of Nigeria’s oil wealth ostensibly redirecting national security.
To salvage a situation in which the country’s wealth was being plundered through theft, criminalities, sea piracy, vandalism, sabotage, rent-seeking, insecurity and racketeering, the NNPCL brought in the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) to rescue the country’s oil wealth the enemies of the state. It is instructive to note that since TSSNL took over the security affairs of the pipelines, it has utterly dwarfed its contemporaries to whom other axes of the contract were awarded; thereby making Tompolo’s security firm the best among the pack It has achieved a whole lot of feats even in the face of sabotage, scandal, propaganda, jealousy and hatred-induced blackmail by some elements within the country’s security apparatus who have been edged out of illicit trade in the oil industry through the activities of TSSNL.
As a result of the commitment to securing Nigeria’s treasure, the country is currently enjoying relative peace on her waterways as TSSNL has pushed away the petroleum products rustlers to whom the oil wealth is a cash cow and bringing about hope in the future of Nigeria. The country’s quota among its peers in the Organisation of Exporting Countries (OPEC) has been steadily on the rise since last year when TSSNL chose to do the right thing having been empowered to so do.
Nigerians are exultant about the security situation in terms of pipeline safety engendered by TSSNL’s activities, even as they have praised the high productivity of the security firm. Again, the national security is near stable while the stability of the country’s wealth is on the increase. The Nuhu Ribadu-led Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President should maintain the current tempo for a better future.
Considering the success recorded in the security of this critical national infrastructure, critical stakeholders, and indeed, Nigerians have called for continued engagement of TSSNL to carry out surveillance of the oil pipelines. They, therefore maintain that “there is the need for expeditious renewal of the surveillance contract of oil pipeline awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).”
