Oil Producing Communities in Edo have told Government Ekpemupolo, Tompolo, to include them in the contract to secure oil pipelines in the Niger Delta region.
The oil producing communities under the aegis of Combine Force Blasters (CFB), in a statement by their spokesperson, Omoluabi Daggo, in Calabar on Sunday, indicated that they had no issue with Tompolo being awarded the contract.
The communities commended the federal government’s decision to award the contract to someone with the pedigree to police the pipelines.
Daggo noted that Tompolo is equipped with the history of the area and had been a key player in the struggle for the betterment of the Niger Delta region that produced the “golden egg” that is the country’s mainstay.
“We have no issue with Tompolo being awarded the contract since he is part of us and knows the history of the area as well as knowing what it takes to effectively carry out the assignment.
“Indeed, we, just like other Nigerians with interest of the country at heart, have been concerned about the level of crude oil theft.
“Apart from its consequences on the revenue stream of the country, vandalisation of pipelines have also affected the environment of the oil producing communities.
“So, let it be noted that we have no problem whatsoever with Tompolo handling the project,” the communities declared.
Daggo said that their only misgiving about the contract is the exclusion of oil producing communities in Edo State from the contract.
The communities argued: “for some time now, we have watched Tompolo host some states on the subject matter with the award of slots to various communities and militant generals.
“Though we are carefully waiting to hear from him, we are ready to cooperate with him to effectively protect and police the pipelines.”
The Federal government had recently awarded a surveillance of pipelines contract to Tompolo, following the massive crude oil theft that causes Nigeria loss of daily oil production.
Tompolo had called for the understanding of all stakeholders on the pipelines contract.
He pledged to carry everybody along, give all stakeholders a sense of belonging and ensure that the generality of the people of the region are accommodated.