Business
Call to reverse Tompolo’s Pipeline Surveillance Contract thickens
Call to reverse Tompolo’s Pipeline Surveillance Contract thickens
Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, better known by his alias Tompolo, is a well-known ex-militant warlord in the Niger Delta. He just received a contract from the Federal government for pipeline surveillance, which is worth a staggering N48 billion annually.
The surveillance job was given to Tompolo amid reports of rampant crude theft that is ruining Nigeria’s oil industry.
According to reports, the Tompolo surveillance contract has received harsh criticism and outrage from a plethora of sources, with many questioning the entire procurement procedure.
A civil society organization, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), responded to the development by describing the surveillance contract as a joint promotion of criminals.
CISLAC executive director Auwal Musa asked some salient questions like,
“What is the value of the investments and allocations made from the national treasury to the numerous security paraphernalia in Nigeria if an ex-militant is seen to be more competent to deliver on security issues than the entire armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”
Auwal also asked, “Who oversight the procurement process of this award? Were there bids, and what process led to his emergence on this award? Or is our bureau of public procurement also an incompetent institution that couldn’t deliver on a free and equitable process? On the other, doesn’t the law have clear stipulations on contract awards in Nigeria?
“It is really sad that the Nigerian government is promoting criminality, because what they have practically done is encourage criminality.
“So, criminals can take arms against the state and they can now rubbish our own security; the police, navy, army, and DSS, meaning all of them cannot secure the country or the oil pipelines. One day, the Nigerian government will come and hire terrorists to guide us. This is really terrible.”
Despite appeals from Tompolo’s faction, ENigeria Newspaper has been reliable informed that other rival ex-militant groups are already threatening fire and brimstone in the Niger-Delta.
You may recall that Tompolo made a commitment to end all hostilities with the opposing parties in order to ensure a smooth execution of the now contentious monitoring contract. However, there are clear signs that his approach has not yielded the desired effect.
For example, opposing factions loyal to Asari Dokubo, the founder of the Niger-Delta People Volunteer Force, NDPVF, are already headed for conflict with faction loyal to Tompolo the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta, MEND and analysts say another creek war is imminent.
Asari Dokubo asserted that Timipre Silver, the minister of state for petroleum, in awarded the contract for pipeline surveillance in Rivers State to Tompolo on purpose in a calculated attempt to spite him (Asari). As a result, he threatened to oppose and serve it hot to anyone who crossed his home territory of Kalabari in relation to pipeline surveillance including Tompolo and the Army.
Even though the federal government may have been forced to award such a sensitive surveillance contract to ex-militants due to the daily loss of over 400,000 barrels of crude and the threat to N9.4 trillion in expected revenue from crude, many now concur with governor Rotimi Akeredolu that the national security system has completely failed, making it necessary to turn to non-state actors for security.
Akeredolu criticized the central government for being willing to approve high-tech weapons for private security companies but vehemently refusing pleas from states to arm their regional security initiatives. State agencies that are well-equipped, trained, motivated, and armed would be more fitted to handle pipeline surveillance than contentious private operatives whose allegiances can change.
“The pipeline contract should be reviewed immediately, and effective, comprehensive measures taken to protect pipelines and production sites”, he concluded.
Business
CNG CAMPUS: 20 Federal Tertiary Institutions to Get CNG Conversion Centres and Refuelling Stations
CNG CAMPUS: 20 Federal Tertiary Institutions to Get CNG Conversion Centres and Refuelling Stations
…6 to be Fully Operational by May 2025
In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to affordable, clean, and sustainable energy, the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), in collaboration with Femadec Energy, is set to establish Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centres and refuelling stations across 20 federal tertiary institutions nationwide.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Morufu Olatunji Alausa, recently convened a meeting with Vice-Chancellors and executives from Femadec Energy, MDGIF, and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) to finalise project details and ensure timely implementation.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the project’s significance: “This initiative not only aims to reduce transportation costs for our students and lecturers but also represents a pivotal step towards integrating clean energy solutions within our educational institutions.”
Echoing this sentiment, a representative from Femadec Energy stated: “Our collaboration with MDGIF and the federal institutions underscores our dedication to promoting sustainable energy. By introducing CNG infrastructure, we aim to provide cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation options, fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability among the academic community.”
This project is designed to alleviate the high transportation costs faced by students and lecturers. It aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to leverage Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources for cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable transportation.
Six institutions are slated to have fully operational CNG facilities by May 29, 2025, demonstrating immediate impacts and paving the way for broader adoption nationwide.
#RenewedHope #CNGRevolution #CleanEnergy #SustainableTransportation #AffordableEnergy #GreenCampus
Business
Cyberpedia Internet Governance, Presidential Office of Digital Engagement & Strategy partner to Pioneer AI-Driven Civic Dialogue Initiative
Business
ASR AFRICA EMERGES WINNER OF THE CSR CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE 2024 INDEPENDENT AWARDS
ASR AFRICA EMERGES WINNER OF THE CSR CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE 2024 INDEPENDENT AWARDS
ASR Africa emerges the Corporate Social Responsibility Champion of the Year at the Independent Awards 2024 in Lagos recently. Dr Ubon Udoh, the MD/CEO of ASR Africa, represented the Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu (CFR, CON) at the event to receive the award on his behalf.
Dr. Ubon Udoh thanked the organisers of the Award for recognizing the immense contributions of Abdul Samad Rabiu in creating sustainable homegrown solutions in Nigeria and Africa at large, in the area of health, education, mentorship and social development. He noted that the award, no doubt, will serve as an impetus for ASR Africa to continue to do more.
ASR Africa is an initiative of one of Africa’s biggest philanthropists and serial entrepreneurs, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder & Executive Chairman, BUA Group. At the heart of our mission lies a deep-rooted commitment to fostering substantial progress across the African continent through focused investments in education, health, and social development sectors.
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