Nigeria’s national daily, the Nation Newspaper is reporting that the Federal Government is set to execute its new plan to safeguard the waterways and oil pipelines.
The Presidency, the report said, is believed to have directed the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to quit the job for some companies, which have been signed on by the government.
The report also disclosed that the companies are owned by some former Niger-Delta militants and prominent citizens. They include Government Tompolo; Mujaheedin Asari-Dokubo and Chief Bipobiri Ajube (aka Gen. Shoot-At-Sight).
There is also founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr. Frederick Fasehun who said last night that his company was being considered for the multi-billion naira contract.
The OPC National co-ordinator, Otunba Gani Adams, who is also said to be part of the deal, declined comments last night, saying he was at a meeting.
The duo of Adams and Fasehun have been part of the few Yoruba men championing the re-election bid of President Jonathan.
The takeover is said to be with effect from 16 March, according to the report which quoted a source as saying seven companies have been allocated “regions” or operational areas as follows: Egbe Security River One (Bayelsa); Gallery Security (Mosinmi -Ore); Close Body Protection (Edo State); Adex Energy Security(Rivers) ; Donyx Global Concept(Lagos and Ogun); Oil Facilities Surveillance-(Delta) and New Age Global Security (Mosinmi-Ibadan) adding that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will coordinate the jobs.
The Nation Newspaper said details of the deal are sketchy as only few in government are in the picture. But it quoted a source as saying that “the so-called new deal for the protection of waterways has not been made known to members of the Federal Executive Council, unlike in the past.
“Maybe this is an ad hoc arrangement to achieve a political purpose because some ex-Niger Delta militants on January 24 met at the Government House, Yenagoa and vowed to declare war if President Goodluck Jonathan does not win the March 28 election.
“Asari Dokubo specifically said: “We are going to war. Every one of you should go and fortify yourself.”
Responding to a question, according to the newspaper, the source added: “these former Niger Delta militants are benefiting from all manner of pipeline protection contracts.
“Apart from being on retainership with NIMASA, I am aware that in 2009, a former Minister of Nige- Delta Affairs, Chief Ufot Ekaette presented a memo on December 2, 2009 to the Federal Executive Council for the award of the N1.8billion Kurutie Shoreline Protection and Reclamation contract.
“A company, KFT Kpudoh, allegedly owned by Tompolo and another called Phoenica Nigeria Limited, bid for the said contract.
“Based on the advice of the Bureau of Public Procurement, after a thorough technical audit, the Shoreline Protection and Reclamation Contract was awarded to Phoenica Nigeria Limited by FEC. But the award of the contract to Phoenica fetched Akaette death threats. The government later reviewed the contract.”
A source in Warri, Delta State, said the contract for pipelines in Delta State would be executed by Oil Field Surveillance Limited, the same company, which had previously handled it. It is owned by Tompolo, the report disclosed.
“What I was told is that it has been awarded for Delta, Edo, Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos and Ogun states. Like the one of Lagos State, I learnt it’s being anchored by Dr Frederick Fasehun and that it’s going to commence on Monday,” the newpaper quoted a source as saying.
The Nation Newspaper reported that the NSCDC Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operation, Evans Ewuurum, said the corps was yet to receive any circular on the contracts.
Nigeria has been battling with huge revenue due to vandalism of oil and gas pipeline.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin, recently disclosed that Nigeria had been losing an estimated 100,000 barrels of crude oil valued at N1.18 billion daily to oil thieves.
This amounts to an annual loss of N433.62 billion.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said pipeline vandalism led to shortage of gas for firing power plants.
He was quoted as saying: “the electricity market, which has 5,500MW installed capacity now generates an average of 3,575.85MW following paucity of gas as vandals who always strike whenever the sector is about to hit 4,500MW.”
PM News
Mr President what u are doing to this country economy is d worst av ever seen in my life. U descend this country so low awarding contract to people like Gain Adams a tout of no origin dat turn to represent his family as a Yoruba leaders this a government dat call people to come and have there own cake but mind u mr president all that ate with Taylor were not there to serve jail term with him in American, this is not how to run a good government.may God bless this nation.a time will come when jona will call a street mechanic dat is loyal to is government to come and head military.