Barring any last-minute change, former militants and self
determination groups will today begin the execution of the N9.3b
waterways and oil pipelines contracts.
A
memo from the Presidency directed the ex-militants, led by Government
Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), Mujaheedin Asari-Dokubo and Chief Bipobiri
Ajube (aka Gen. Shoot-At-Sight) to take over Nigerian waterways and oil
pipeline protection from the police and the Nigerian Security and Civil
Defence Corps (NSCDC) as from March 16.
But the contract execution was said to have been delayed because it
was uncertain whether the incoming administration would revoke it.
It was learnt that some of the ex-militants did not have enough arms
to man the pipelines and needed more time to get well-equipped for the
job.
The Federal Government, it was learnt, is set to make a two-month
payment out of the N9.3billion contract sum to the beneficiaries
through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The exact amount to be paid could not be ascertained last night.
The security agencies will hand over to the militants today, a source said last night.
The contract was signed on March 16. The companies are owned by some
former Niger Delta militants and prominent citizens, including founder
of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr. Frederick Fasehun who confirmed
that his company was being considered for the multi-billion naira
contract.
The OPC National co-ordinator, Otunba Gani Adams, also confirmed to
have been awarded the contract, saying it would provide jobs for his
“boys”.
Seven companies have been allocated “regions” or operational areas as
follows: Egbe Security River One (Bayelsa); Gallery Security
(Mosinmi-Ore); Close Body Protection (Edo State); Adex Energy
Security(Rivers) ; Donyx Global Concept(Lagos and Ogun); Oil Facilities
Surveillance – (Delta) and New Age Global Security (Mosinmi-Ibadan).
The Federal Government was said to have appointed one Engr. Molokwu
from the NNPCV Energy and Technical Department as the coordinator.
It was learnt that in 2009, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,
Chief Ufot Ekaette, presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council
for the award of the N1.8billion Kurutie Shoreline Protection and
Reclamation contract.
A company, KFT Kpudoh, allegedly owned by Tompolo and another called Phoenica Nigeria Limited, bid for the said contract.
Based on the advice of the Bureau of Public Procurement, after a
thorough technical audit, the Shoreline Protection and Reclamation
Contract was awarded to Phoenica Nigeria Limited by FEC.
But the award of the contract to Phoenica fetched Ekaette death threats. The government later reviewed the contract.
A source in Warri, Delta State, said the contract for pipelines in
Delta State would be executed by Oil Field Surveillance Limited, the
same company, which had previously handled it. It is owned by Tompolo.
Nigeria has been battling with huge revenue due to vandalism of oil and gas pipeline.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin, recently
announced that Nigeria had been losing an estimated 100,000 barrels of
crude oil valued at N1.18 billion daily to oil thieves. This amounts to
an annual loss of N433.62 billion.
Pipeline vandalism is said to have led to shortage of gas for firing power plants.
The electricity market, which has 5,500MW installed capacity now
generates an average of 3,575.85MW following paucity of gas as vandals
who always strike whenever the sector is about to hit 4,500MW”.
Adams was quoted as saying that President Goodluck Jonathan deserves
praise for approving a contract for the OPC to protect pipelines across
the South-West.
Wide criticisms trailed the president’s approval of the contracts. A
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Niyi Akintola, described the
plan as an act of corruption which has no precedent anywhere in the
world.“Why must we encourage the establishment and operation of
ex-militants in securing our oil pipelines? What is the responsibility
of the Police and the Navy if the ex-militants are to be saddled with
the responsibility?” he asked.
Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo blasted the Federal Government for
conceiving the idea in the first place, saying: “It is irresponsible of
the Federal Government to give up part of its security to individuals.
The money that would be given to such people should be used to equip the
Police and the Navy. If this is done, they will perform better.”
Retired Police Commissioner Abubarkar Tsav blamed the plan on the
desperation of President Jonathan to win the election at all costs.
Second Republic lawmaker Dr Junaid Mohammed said: “You can’t hire out
the functions of the government to an individual no matter how
connected they are…”
