LAGOS- The ADC 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Dumebi Kachikwu has condemned the statement by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, calling for pipeline security contracts to be shared among states in the Niger Delta.
Kachikwu made this known in a statement in Lagos on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Rivers governor on Saturday, criticised the Federal Government for leaving the pipeline surveillance job to a single company and individual, noting that such might affect the fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta.
NAN recalls that the multi-billion naira pipeline surveillance was contract to Tantita Security Services led by former militant leader, Government Ekpemepulo aka Tompolo.
Kachikwu said this approach of let them share contracts for the boys must stop if the governor was interested in contracts being awarded to former militants; he could create and award contracts to those of them in his domain.
He said: “I am astonished that Gov. Fubara made such a statement. He is the governor of a state that is one of the leading states in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.
“One would have expected that the gains the Federal Government and NNPCL are making through the partnership with Tantita and other security agencies will be applauded by him.
“Just like all well-meaning Nigerians are doing but he was talking about contract being awarded to one man.
“Did the Federal Government award the pipeline contract to a man or a company?.”
Kachukwu said after all, Fubara was the governor and he could do what he liked.
The former presidential candidate said what was now clear to all Nigerians was that the Federal Government meant business in its war against crude oil theft.
He said the government was only working with trusted partners they knew and who would not compromise, saying that they must all support this effort and not reduce this to their usual comedy routine. (NAN)
