Gov Akeredolu Queries FG Over Tompolo’s Pipeline Contract
Category: Nigeria News
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has concerns over President
Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government decision to award pipeline surveillance contracts to
Government Ekpemupolo, a former Niger Delta agitator popularly known as
Tompolo among others.
Akeredolu’s concerns came on the heels of
the Nigerian government justifying the N4 Billion contract to Tompolo and
other private organizations.
The Ondo state governor, in an open
letter on Wednesday, said the Federal Government’s action reinforces the
belief that the whole defense architecture in the country needs an urgent
overhaul.
READ: Federal Government Seizes Tompolo’s Properties
The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum said the action of the FG
also implied that it permitted private security outfits “to bear heavy assault
weapons while denying the same privilege to the states, the federating units,”
to tackle insecurity.
Recall that the Federal Government, on
Tuesday, said it believes it has taken the right decision to hire private
contractors to man its oil pipeline network nationwide.
The Group
Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, Mr Mele
Kyari, argued that although the security agencies are doing their part,
end-to-end pipeline surveillance would require the involvement of private
entities and community stakeholders.
READ: We Don't Know The Whereabouts of Tompolo- Ijaw Elders Tell JTF and EFCC
The NNPC CEO also clarified that the contract was not awarded to Tompolo
as a person but to a company he has interests in.
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