By Joseph Albert (Umunna TV)
The decision of the Federal government to award pipeline surveillance contract to a former Niger-Delta militant Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has caused palpable tension in the Niger Delta region.
The Igba of Warri Kingdom, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has therefore urged the Federal Government to revoke the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo, saying that there is a “drum of war” in the region amid oppositions to the contract.
Lori-Ogbebor, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja in reaction to the award of N48 billion pipeline surveillance contracts to Tompolo, said it is the responsibility of government to manage Niger Delta affairs and not individual or company.
The N4 billion per month contract was to stamp out pipeline vandalism, oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
Reacting to this, Lori-Ogbebor observed insecurity in the country, adding that there is need for the full implementation of the Niger Delta Development Commission Master Plan to encourage equity in the region.
She said that the master plan was not being followed in the appointment of managers of the region, saying that there must be an instrument of proper placement and management.
Lori-Ogbebor suggested that the Petroleum Industry Act should be reviewed in such a way that it would not cause problem in Niger Delta, even as she urged the government to make public the outcome of the NDDC forensic audit report. (N
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