By Ejiro Nesisa
As the background of Nigerian Navy consistent conflicts with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd and other private surveillance security outfits while carrying out their official duties of surveillance of Nigeria’s oil facilities against thefts as contracted to them by the Federal Government, Ohaneze Think Tank, GRA Enugu, Nigeria, has asked the Nigerian Navy to stop any activity capable of impeding the work of these bodies especially Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd in order for them to put in their best in their jobs.
In an open letter to the Nigerian Navy Authority through Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla by Ohaneze Think -Tank which was signed by Dr. Azubuike Ajuluchukwu , the Co-ordinator and Dr. Cletus Akunyili Deputy Co-ordinator of Ohaneze Think Tank and made available to newsmen titled: Open Letter to Chief of Naval Staff , Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla: Please Allow Federal Government Contracted Private Security Surveillance Outfits To Function In The Nation’s Waterways”, the Ohaneze Think Tank said since the private surveillance security outfits took over the surveillance of the oil facilities in Nigeria, the activities of oil thieves have been things of the past as at today, production has gone up from a paltry 650,000 barrels per day to about 1.7 million barrels per day adding that if Navy stop their resistance, production could climb to over 2.0 million barrels per day, as it was in 2015.
According to the letter, prior the engagement of the private surveillance security outfits, the nation’s waterways became so porous that local and international oil thieves had a free run and in fact flourished as Nigeria Navy saddled with the responsibility of protecting these facilities failed in their job adding that, it was on this premise that the Federal Government sought private security companies to protect the nation’s oil assets in the Niger Delta.
The letter added that since the engagement of these security outfits,
government no longer look for loans to support her activities.
Part of the letter reads:” With no external wars to fight and a reduced insecurity in the Niger Delta, the Navy had nothing to do, except to keep surveillance over oil assets of the nation round the clock. The Navy, however, failed in this singular task. The nation’s waterways became so porous that local and international oil thieves had a free run and infact flourished. At the time President Goodluck Jonathan’s left office, crude production was over 2 million barrels per day. Six years into President Muhammadu Buhari’s two terms, production fell drastically below 700, 000 barrels per day. It wasn’t classified information, Nigeria could no longer foot her bills. This dire situation prompted the administration to go cap in hand to procure both local and foreign loans to run the government. It was on this premise that the Federal Government sought private security companies to protect the nation’s oil assets in the Niger Delta”.
According to the letter, prior the elevation of Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla to the position of Chief of Staff, the Naval component of the nation’s security architecture failed abysmally to deliver on its mandate, to which he is very much aware of its details and can’t be swept under the carpet adding that, it was expected that now that he has taken over the mantle of leadership in this regard, Nigerian Navy ought have cooperated with the private surveillance security outfits to ride the country of oil thieves, adding that, instead of doing that, they have continued to cause hindrance to their operations.
Part of the letter reads:”
The Nigerian Navy has through omission and/or commission failed to uphold the national interest. With your appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, Nigerians were hopeful that it would herald an era for a new beginning: That you will bring discipline, professionalism, competence and seriousness to bear on the job.
Sadly, this hope was dashed as your appointment, however, hasn’t brought the expected improvements and anticipated change in the psyche of your men. The same old story of wanton irresponsibility and lack of dedication to duty by men of the Navy still subsists. The Navy you lead today carries the same old burden, which held down the nation.
Rather than support the efforts of the three security companies contracted by the federal government to keep surveillance over oil facilities, the Navy is said to be hell bent in creating impediment in their paths, just to tarnish their reputation and have their contracts revoked.
The companies, Tantita Security Services Limited ( TSSL) and Pipelines Infrastructures Limited under the supervision of Inter – Atlas Synergy, have all cried out over Naval sabotage of their operations in the nation’s waters”.
According to the letter, while the Nigerian Army, the Airforce and other security agencies have abided with the directive to work alongside the private security firms, the Navy has remained adamant adding that this goes against national interest. adding that this goes against the grains of national interest, to which the Navy owes absolute allegiance.
According to the letter, since the private surveillance security outfits started their work in this regard, impeccable investigation by this body has revealed that the private security providers have assumed the responsibility of engaging in enlightenment programmes of local communities on behalf of the Federal Government on the need to shun gangs that approach them for cooperation in oil theft, no matter how mouth watering the inducement just as they engage in awareness campaigns aimed at re-awakening the consciousness of the inhabitants of the host communities on the dangers of involvement in practices associated with oil theft which made the locals to return to their age long occupation of fishing and farming through financial gifts, purchase of fishing nets and other gears which they need for their occupation.
Part of the letter reads:”
As if the private security providers envisaged and had the premonition of the vision of Mr. President, the restoration of the aquatic life boosted the Renewed Hope Agenda for the host oil producing communities of the Niger Delta. As clearly elucidated in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the private security providers have created an aquatic industry and food security chains in the host communities of the Niger Delta in line with Mr. President’s New Year day speech and agenda on January 1st, 2024.
This was achieved as pollution in the waterways were cleaned due to reduction in the operations of the oil buccaneers. Also to be noted is the mass demolition of illegal crude refining camps that dotted the region. Their operators were discouraged from returning to the business.
Hitherto, their activities generated black soothes emitted into the atmosphere during local refining, which contaminated the atmosphere and created environment heath hazards such as lung cancer and other diseases amongst the locals.
It’s heart-warming to note that the Port Harcourt sky hitherto permeated with smug and soothes has since the private security agencies commenced operations, gradually cleared up. The private security firms have provided commendable surveillance on the nation’s oil assets. The improvement in production attests to their efforts. The only challenge they have is the non co – operation of the Nigerian Navy”.
The body therefore called on Nigerian Navy to purge itself of unfounded anger and work with the private surveillance security outfits to enhance production of oil in the country just as the body called on Nigerians of goodwill to intervene and prevail on the Navy to support the federal government’s decision to incorporate civil security organizations to assist in securing oil facilities across Niger Delta as the nation needs all persons to move the nation forward this year,2024.