- Says there’s nothing wrong in awarding the contract to the ex-militant leader.
Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, has expressed his support for the surveillance contract awarded by the Federal Government of Nigeria to former militant leader, Government Ekpemepulo, popularly known as Tompolo.
The N48 billion contract to monitor pipelines, other oil installations and check the menace of oil theft in the Niger Delta region awarded to the ex-militant leader has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday September 25, Clark warned Nigerians against interfering in the activities of the oil-rich region.
He said that there should be no further bickering and disorder in any part of the Niger Delta to enable the people focus on the bigger picture of sustainable development.
Clark stated: “The unpatriotic elements should realize that there is nothing wrong in awarding contracts to any capable Niger Deltan, especially to protect oil and gas assets that are situated in their backyards.
“Similar contracts have been awarded in the past to individuals, I do not understand, therefore, why the Tompolo case is made to look as if it is the only one.
“The beneficiaries of the contract are bonafide sons of the Niger Delta, who are committed to the peace and stability of the region and the country.”
The elder statesman also lauded Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, over the manner he handled the tension generated by the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo.