Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, an activist, has condemned the awarding of pipeline protection to Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo.
The federal government job assigned to the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has sparked debate.
After years of hardline, the Buhari administration enlisted the help of Tompolo, arguably Nigeria’s most powerful militant. During Jonathan’s presidency, he received the same deal.
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The government began talks with him after the country lost over 500,000 barrels per day due to illegal bunkering.
Rita Lori, speaking to reporters in Abuja on Monday, said it was wrong to hand over the pipeline’s guard to an individual.
The Igba of Warri Kingdom stated that it was the national government’s responsibility to take control of events in the oil-rich South-South region.
She accused the authorities of being glib about a matter involving the country’s largest foreign exchange earner.
The prominent Itsekiri leader questioned the government’s inability to protect oil facilities from theft and other problems.
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“Despite the warning, they went ahead to award the contract to Tompolo. This has resulted in disagreement.
“There has been a parade of guns in a show of force. The region may be enveloped by war any moment from now,” she said.
Lori, who insisted that the contract be revoked in order for peace to reign, also bemoaned the state of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
According to the activist, politicians use the agency to “carry away the booty of the country.”
because that is where the money is.”
She stated that people, including governors, have abandoned the NDDC Act in favor of appointing relatives to the board.
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Lori reminded Nigerians that the report of the presidency-commissioned forensic audit had not been made public since.
She said, “There is anarchy in the Niger Delta and I feel that the world should know about it.
“I earlier said that the insecurity Nigerians should worry about is not the type going on in the North, but that of the Niger Delta.
“What we have today will be a child’s play if the insecurity fully manifests itself. If it has not, it will soon do so in another few months.”
Lori further complained about the proliferation and display of high calibre arms and ammunition without fear.
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“The federal government is not doing anything about it; rather they aid and abate the problem of bloodshed,” she added.
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