Northern Group rejects the Tompolo contract for pipeline surveillance

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

A contract for pipeline surveillance that had been given to Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, a former militant leader, has been rejected by the Northern Youth Council (NYC).
The contract inked by the government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, and Tompolo is said to be worth more than N4 billion every month, Track News cites.

The former militant leader will assist in monitoring and supervising other surveillance contracts, contractors, and their actions in the entire Niger Delta after the deal, a source informed The Nation.

He said that Tompolo had performed a similar function when Diezani Alison-Madueke served as the minister of petroleum during the previous administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The council demanded that the government withdraw the contract given to Tompolo within seven days in a statement released by the group’s spokesperson, Matazu Yusuf, on Sunday.

The council demanded that Timipre Sylva, the minister of state for petroleum resources, be fired for sanctioning the deal, claiming that it was uncalled for.

It promised to organize Northern youngsters across the nation for a significant protest and to pursue legal action if the government does not take action after the stipulated deadline has passed.

We are giving the Federal Government or its representative a seven-day deadline to withdraw the N4 billion pipeline surveillance contract given to former Niger Delta militant Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.

“Tompolo was given a contract today after the government labeled him wanted a few years ago. This is irrational. This development puts the late former president Musa Yaradua’s amnesty agreement, which was meant to lessen instability in the oil region, in danger of disintegrating.

“The government ought to employ the services of Joint Task Force rather than a militant with an unclear strategy.

“We also demanded that the Minister of State for Petroleum be fired over the contract’s award.

“We will organize over 20,000 northern youngsters for a big protest and then challenge the judgment in court if after the stipulated deadline, no action is made.

“We also accuse Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff, of allegedly playing the ethnic card by handing terrorists control of the nation’s vital infrastructure surveillance.”