…demand inclusion
An armed group in the Niger Delta region of the country who identified themselves as “Creek Men” have kicked against the award a multi-million dollar pipeline surveillance contract to a former militant leader and commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
The Federal government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recently signed the deal with Tompolo in a bid to end illegal bunkering, illegal refining, and other forms of oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
According to reports, the deal with Tompolo is worth over N4 billion monthly. Sources say the duties of the former MEND commander are to provide surveillance and security of the pipelines, as well as other oil and gas installations in the entire Niger Delta.
While some Nigerians have applauded the deal as it will assist to stem oil theft, pollution and increase the revenue of the country, the ‘Creek Men’ have said the contract cannot be awarded only to Tompolo.
In an interview with Arise TV, they expressed dissatisfaction over their exclusion from the contract, and demanded that they be incorporated in the pipeline surveillance deal.