The Federal government has changed its initial decision safeguarding the country’s oil wells in the South-South region from consistent vandalism and bunkering.
In the latest step, the government under President Muhammadu Buhari has awarded the Commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo, a multi-million naira surveillance contract to safeguard the oil pipelines.
The deal, according to reports, is a renewal one as Tompolo got a similar contract during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
However, upon assuming office, President Buhari reportedly cancelled the contract, but has now resigned it with the belief that it will end illegal bunkering, illegal refining and oil theft in Niger-Delta communities.
A source close to Tompolo told The Nation that the current deal is worth over four billion naira monthly.
“Before the cancellation of his contract, the arrangements he put in place tackled illegal bunkering and increased production quota to over two million barrels per day.
“But the new government cancelled the contract, declared him wanted and he was later exonerated of all wrongdoings.
“They have realised the need to bring him back because currently, the country is losing over 500,000 barrels per day to illegal bunkering”, he said.
The new deal was brokered by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva and top NNPC officials, including the Group Executive Director, Upstream, Adokiye Tombomelye.
After the signing, Tompolo presided over a meeting in his Oporoza home in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, on Wednesday.
In attendance were ex-presidents of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Chris Ekiyor, Udengs Eradiri and Eric Omare
Others were priests of Egbesu, Ijaw religious organisation, led by Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei; leaders of Niger Delta youth groups, heads of cult groups.
The rest were former MEND commanders – Eris Paul, popularly called General Oguboss; Pius Wareyal, popularly called General Pius; Joshua Macaiver, Pastor Reuben Wilson, Young Shall Grow – and second phase “generals”.