Tantita’s Pipeline Protection Boosts Oil Production, Employs Over 60,000 Niger Delta Youths — Consultant
THE Media Consultant to Tantita Nigeria Limited, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, has said the company’s sustained efforts to protect oil pipelines and other critical infrastructure in the Niger Delta have contributed significantly to improved crude oil production, environmental safety and economic activities in the region.
Bebenimibo, who is also Special Adviser to the Chairman of Tantita, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, stated this while speaking on the sidelines of an award presented to Tantita by Blueprint Newspapers in recognition of the company’s contributions to pipeline security and national development.
According to him, the award further demonstrated the impact of Tantita’s intervention in the Niger Delta, particularly in combating oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other illegal activities threatening Nigeria’s oil industry.
He said that since Tantita assumed a major role in pipeline surveillance and protection in 2022, the company had recorded significant progress in securing oil facilities across the Niger Delta.
“Over the years, awards have been coming in, and that shows that Tantita is really doing the job very well,” Bebenimibo said.
He noted that improved security in oil-producing communities had also created an environment conducive to the return of legitimate economic activities, including fishing and farming.
Bebenimibo said Tantita remained committed to supporting efforts to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day, stressing that effective protection of oil infrastructure was critical to achieving the target.
He attributed part of the company’s success to the leadership and extensive knowledge of the Niger Delta terrain possessed by its Chairman, Tompolo.
According to him, Tompolo’s familiarity with the region’s creeks and communities had helped Tantita develop effective strategies for monitoring and securing oil infrastructure.
Bebenimibo disclosed that the company had deployed modern technology, including drones, to monitor activities in the creeks and detect illegal operations.
“We have acquired drones that are now picking up every illegal activity that is going on in the creek,” he said.
Beyond pipeline surveillance, Bebenimibo said Tantita had placed significant emphasis on youth empowerment as part of its strategy to address insecurity and discourage young people from engaging in oil theft, illegal bunkering and other criminal activities.
He disclosed that more than 60,000 youths were currently employed by the company and paid monthly.
He added that Tantita had introduced skills acquisition programmes and supported youths, women and other members of host communities through grants and other forms of economic empowerment.
“Tantita is not just employing the youths. It is also giving them skills and promoting their businesses in the area by giving grants to youths, women and men,” he said.
According to him, the combination of employment, skills development and community support had contributed to reducing criminal activities in parts of the Niger Delta.
Bebenimibo also highlighted the growing relationship between Tantita and the media, describing journalists as important partners in communicating the company’s activities and promoting transparency around its operations.
He disclosed that Tantita had built a correspondents’ secretariat in Delta State and was planning to extend similar facilities to other states in the Niger Delta, as well as establish a facility for journalists at the national level.
He said the initiative was part of the company’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the media and ensuring that its activities and contributions to national development were effectively communicated to Nigerians.
Bebenimibo maintained that Tantita’s approach to security went beyond enforcement to include the creation of legitimate economic opportunities for youths and support for host communities.
He expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among security agencies, oil companies, host communities, the media and private security contractors would further strengthen the protection of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and contribute to increased national revenue.
