By Jerry Ogor
UGHELLI/Nigeria: Coordinators of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and President Generals of all Urhobo communities have openly rejected the recent call by the leadership of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) urging the Federal Government to terminate the oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita.
At a press briefing held in Ughelli, which drew over 2,000 Tantita employees and community representatives, the Coordinators and President Generals unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the firm’s management. They commended the operational structure of Tantita, which they said has successfully engaged thousands of Urhobo youths and communities in meaningful employment.
According to the group, Tantita currently employs over 3,500 Urhobo youths drawn from 88 communities across 16 Urhobo kingdoms, making the company the highest employer of labour in Urhobo land. They asserted that Tantita’s operations have integrated local oil-bearing communities directly into surveillance activities, helping to safeguard the nation’s critical oil infrastructure.
“In Ijaw land, they provide the bulk of patrol teams; the same is true of the Itsekiri, Isoko, Kwale and certainly the Urhobo communities,” the statement read. “Almost 4,000 Urhobo indigenes earn a monthly wage as Tantita operatives and coordinators. From Iwhremeragha to Unenurhie, from Kokori to Oguname-Olomu, from Ovwiamuge-Agbarho to Ugbomro, from Mosogar to Ibada-Elume to Arhavwarhien, Tantita is on the ground through Urhobo indigenes.”
They emphasized that every kilometre of pipeline traversing Urhobo land is protected 100% by Urhobo sons and daughters, with each community given slots as operatives and coordinators responsible for the security of pipelines within their domain.
“For over two years now, Tantita’s Urhobo coordinators and operatives have worked tirelessly to reduce vandalism, oil theft, illegal refining, and environmental degradation. No single community has expressed dissatisfaction with their performance,” they stated.
They described Tantita as a company with cutting-edge technology and strong leadership, stressing that its efficient system may appear simple only to the uninformed. The coordinators condemned what they described as misinformation being peddled through socio-cultural platforms, calling on the public to disregard them.
Responding to the UPU statement, which claimed the decision to reject Tantita was reached at a “General Assembly of the Urhobo people,” the group questioned the credibility of such a gathering. “Can they produce the minutes of that meeting, the notice of assembly, or even the date it was held?” they queried.
They warned against politicizing community safety for personal gains, asserting that such actions contradict the values of the UPU constitution which promotes unity, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
Speaking on behalf of the President Generals, Chief Ukpebitere, the President General of Evwreni community, urged Urhobo people to remain united in their partnership with Tantita. “No one should bring division between the Urhobo Nation and Tantita Security Services Limited for personal greed and interest,” he said.
The high point of the event was the vote of confidence passed on High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, Kestin Pondi, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, and Tantita Security Services Limited. The motion was raised by the National President of the Urhobo Youth Council, Mr. Godspower Enerho, and was unanimously adopted by the gathering.
