Abuja — The Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Kestin Pondi, has attributed Nigeria’s gradual recovery in crude oil production to improved security coordination and stronger collaboration with host communities.
Pondi made this known on Tuesday while speaking at the Joint Petroleum Parliamentary Roundtable held at the National Assembly of Nigeria in Abuja.
He commended the Senate Joint Committees for organizing the session, describing it as a vital platform for addressing the challenges facing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
According to Pondi, Nigeria’s crude oil production had dropped significantly to about 1.1 million barrels per day in 2022—when Tantita was awarded the contract to secure critical oil infrastructure.
He, however, noted that production has since improved to approximately 1.4 million barrels per day, a development he linked to strategic engagement, enhanced surveillance, and collaboration with stakeholders.
He recalled that output had earlier declined from about 1.8 million barrels per day in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2021 before reaching its lowest point in 2022.
“We were given this responsibility at a very critical time, and we remain grateful to Mr. President for the opportunity. Without this platform, our capacity and what we can achieve would not have been fully appreciated,” Pondi said.
The Tantita boss emphasized that protecting oil infrastructure cannot be achieved without the active involvement of host communities.
“At Tantita, we do not protect assets from the people; we protect the assets with the people. Bringing in those from the creeks, who understand the terrain, has given us better results,” he stated.
He explained that the company’s inclusive approach has helped reduce vandalism and oil theft, thereby contributing to increased production levels.
Despite the gains, Pondi acknowledged that the operation has come with significant risks and sacrifices.
He disclosed that personnel of Tantita, alongside officers of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, and Civil Defence Corps, have lost their lives in the line of duty while protecting oil facilities.
“It has not been an easy journey. We have lost soldiers, we have lost our personnel, and we have lost civil defence officers,” he said.
While noting the progress made so far, Pondi stressed that Nigeria still has the capacity to increase production further if more investments are made and existing operational challenges are addressed.
“We can still do better. There are still barriers, and we need to invest more to fully achieve the President’s agenda of increased production,” he added.
He also warned against fragmenting the current security framework, cautioning that disjointed approaches could reverse the gains already recorded.
“There is no way we could have succeeded without involving every community that is a stakeholder in this operation. Fragmentation of the process will only push us backwards,” he cautioned.
The roundtable brought together lawmakers, industry operators, and security stakeholders to discuss strategies for boosting oil production and safeguarding critical national assets.
During the session, Tantita provided detailed technical insights into its field operations, challenges, and plans for sustaining current gains in the sector.
Observers say the improved output signals a positive outlook for Nigeria’s oil industry, though sustained collaboration, investment, and security reforms will be key to maintaining the momentum.
