The paramount ruler of Bakana in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Lawrence Barboy has lamented the poor community relations practice of Tantita Security Services Limited operating in his domain.
Tantita is one of the private security companies engaged by the federal government for pipeline security operations in the Niger Delta.
In a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Saturday, the monarch urged the company to take it’s operational base out of Bakana since the community is not benefitting from it’s presence in the area.
According to the monarch,incidences of oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal oil bunkery has continued to thrive in Niger Delta due to poor stakeholders collaboration on issues of surveillance.
“It is so unfortunate that pipeline surveillance contract and key driver of youth employment and peace has been exclusively awarded to Tantita Security Services.
“This decision by the federal government is beginning to breed disharmony as a result of divers security peculiarities across communities.
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“On behalf of the people of Bakana, I urge the federal government and relevant stakeholders to review current decision on pipline surveillance,” he said.
The paramount ruler also accused Tantita Security Services of sidelining Bakana in its operations.
He noted that Bakana, a major host to NNPC, NLNG and Oando oil and gas installations is not recognized by Tantita Security Service.
“The coordinator of the Special Taskforce of Tantita Security Services has cut off all means of communication with host community leaders even as they continue operations in our domain.
“We are therefore, urging them to relocate their surveillance camps from our territory, since they have failed to recognize our rights, welfare and traditional authority,” he said.
The monarch also described current surveillance contract term exclusively involving Tantita Security Services as a violation of the nation’s public procurement act as it lacked competitive bidding.
He noted that the imbalance if not checked could engender strive in host communities as there are other credible indigenous security companies qualified for such job category.
