Host communities of East Horizon Gas Company Limited in Akwa Ibom State have supported the federal government for awarding pipeline surveillance contract to former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo describing it as a welcome development in the area.
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo, on Wednesday, the Coordinator of the Gas Pipeline host Communities Forum in the state, Comrade Kufre Emmanson, appreciated the Federal government for finding Tompolo fit to handle oil and gas pipeline surveillance in the Niger Delta region.
Emmanson assured the federal government that the youths of Gas Pipeline communities in the state would always support contractors to succeed in the job by guarding pipelines against being vandalized.
He, therefore, appealed to Tompolo to consult with the Paramount Rulers in the State adding that the royal fathers from oil and gas communities would assist him to make proper selection of representatives from each of the oil and gas producing areas in the state.
His words: “The Nine Local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, consisting of Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo, Uyo, Uruan Abak, Oruk Anam, Ibesikpo Asutan, Etinan and Nsit Ibom, congratulate Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo for securing the award of pipeline surveillance contract in Niger Delta region.
“The above nine Local government areas host the East Horizon Gas Company Limited, where natural Gas pipelines constructed in Ukanafun pass through the Local governments and terminate in Akansoko Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State.
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“This Forum commends the Federal government particularly, Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipreye Sylva, for finding High Chief Tompolo fit to handle the protection of oil and gas pipelines in our region.
He advised oil and gas host communities to be involved in securing the pipeline in the region and urged the surveillance contractors, to carry the host communities along by consulting the Paramount Rulers in Akwa Ibom State.
He explained that the consultation with royal fathers will ensure the proper selection of representatives from each of the host communities and local governments.
“And we appeal to all our youths to support Tompolo to protect our oil and gas assets from being vandalized.”
The Adviser of the Forum, Evangelist Ekong Udom, noted that for Tompolo to succeed in the renewed pipeline surveillance contract he has to engage genuine groups in each of the oil and gas producing states of the Niger Delta instead of outsiders.
“When I learnt that Tompolo received the contract to do surveillance on Gas pipelines I said I have to let him know that, when it comes to oil and gas, Akwa Ibom state plays a very major role, because there are a lot of pipelines in Akwa Ibom State which we have to make sure are not vandalized,” he said.
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