Tantita Nigeria Limited says its employment and skills development programmes for more than 60,000 youths have contributed to efforts to reduce oil theft and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.
The company’s Media Consultant and Special Adviser to its Chairman, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, disclosed this while speaking on the sidelines of an award presented to Tantita by Blueprint Newspapers.
The award recognised the company’s contribution to pipeline security and national development.
Bebenimibo said Tantita’s efforts in protecting oil pipelines and other critical infrastructure had also contributed to improved crude oil production, environmental safety and economic activities across the region.
He said the company had made significant progress since taking a major role in pipeline surveillance and protection in 2022.
According to him, the improved security of oil-producing communities had created room for legitimate economic activities, including fishing and farming, to gradually return.
He said Tantita remained committed to supporting efforts to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day, noting that protecting oil infrastructure was critical to achieving the target.
Bebenimibo attributed part of the company’s success to Tompolo’s knowledge of the Niger Delta terrain, particularly the creeks and communities where oil infrastructure is located.
He said the company had also deployed technology, including drones, to strengthen surveillance and detect illegal activities in the creeks.
“We have acquired drones that are now picking up every illegal activity that is going on in the creek,” he said.
However, Bebenimibo said Tantita’s approach to security went beyond surveillance and enforcement, stressing that providing young people with legitimate sources of income was also important in tackling insecurity.
He disclosed that more than 60,000 youths were currently employed by the company and receiving monthly salaries.
He added that Tantita had introduced skills acquisition programmes and provided grants to youths, women and other members of host communities to support their businesses.
“Tantita is not just employing the youths. It is also giving them skills and promoting their businesses in the area by giving grants to youths, women and men,” he said.
Bebenimibo said the combination of employment, skills training and community support had helped to discourage some youths from engaging in oil theft, illegal bunkering and other criminal activities.
He also described the media as an important partner in communicating Tantita’s activities and promoting transparency around its operations.
According to him, the company had built a correspondents’ secretariat in Delta State and planned to establish similar facilities in other Niger Delta states, as well as a national facility for journalists.
He said the initiative was aimed at strengthening Tantita’s relationship with journalists and ensuring that the company’s activities and contributions to national development were properly communicated.
Bebenimibo said sustained cooperation among security agencies, oil companies, host communities, the media and private security contractors would be necessary to further protect Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
He expressed optimism that stronger collaboration would contribute to increased crude oil production, improved national revenue and greater economic activity in the Niger Delta.
