**Passes vote of confidence on Chief Ekpemupolo, Engr. Pondi, Dr. Bebenimibo, TANTITA Security Services.
**Reject call by UPU to terminate pipeline surveillance contract
The President Generals and Coordinators of Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited in all Urhobo communities have declared that TANTITA is the highest employer of labour in Urhobo land, engaging over 3,500 Urhobo indigenes across 88 communities and in 16 Urhobo kingdoms.
They stated this Monday, July 7, at Ughelli, Delta State, while rejecting the call in its entirety by some Urhobo Progress Union leaders for the termination of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited by the federal government of Nigeria.
In an elaborate press briefing held at Ughelli and attended by over 2,000 Tantita employees, the Coordinators and President Generals unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, noting that the services of Tantita have engaged more Urhobo youths and communities than ever experienced.
According to the statement, “As of today, Tantita employs over 3,500 Urhobo indigenes covering 88 Urhobo communities in 16 Urhobo kingdoms, making Tantita the highest employer of labor in Urhobo land.
“Anyone familiar with Tantita’s operations knows that all oil-bearing communities participate directly in securing facilities within their territories.
“In Ijaw land, they provide the bulk of patrol teams; the same is true of the Itsekiri, Isoko, Kwale, and most certainly Urhobo communities.
“Almost 4,000 Urhobo indigenes earn a monthly wage as Tantita operatives and coordinators. From Iwhremeragha to Unenurhie, from Kokori to Oguname-Olomu, from Ovwiamuge-Agbarho to Ugbomro, from Mosogar to Ibada-Elume to Arhavwarhien, Tantita is on the ground through Urhobo indigenes. These communities, among many others, are protecting the nation’s national assets in collaboration with Tantita.
“Every single kilometer of pipeline traversing Urhobo land is protected by Urhobo indigenes 100%. Every community in Urhobo land has been given slots as operatives and coordinators and is responsible for the safekeeping of the pipelines in their domain.
“For over two years now, Tantita’s Urhobo coordinators and operatives have worked hard to reduce vandalism, oil theft, illegal refining, and environmental degradation to the barest minimum. No one, not a single community, has complained about their performance.
“Tantita, with her state-of-the-art technological capacity and extraordinary managerial skills, has managed to make the work look effortless; therefore, every ignorant person thinks, ‘I can do it just as well!’
“Nigerians must understand that people who use socio-cultural organizations are being misled by the information at their disposal and should therefore be disregarded.
According to the Coordinators, the opening paragraph of the UPU publication claimed that a resolution was reached at ‘a General Assembly of the Urhobo people’ rejecting Tantita’s operations in Urhobo land. They, however, questioned the authenticity of such ‘General Assembly,’ asking if he can produce the minutes of that meeting, the notice of the assembly, and the date it was held.
“This form of entrepreneurship runs contrary to the tenets of the UPU, and all Urhobos must rise against this debasement of their values as we will continue to uphold the values of the UPU Constitution to foster the spirit of love, mutual understanding, and brotherhood among Urhobo people, good neighborliness with non-Urhobo people, and Nigeria in general.”
Speaking on behalf of the President Generals of Urhobo communities, the President General of Evwreni Community, Chief Ukpebitere, cautioned that “No one should bring division between the Urhobo Nation and Tantita Security Services Limited for personal greed and interest.” He called on all Urhobo indigenes to ignore such publications and continue to work harmoniously with Tanttita management.
Highlights of the event were the vote of confidence passed on High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, Kestin Pondi, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, and Tantita Security Services.
The motion for the vote of confidence was raised by the national President of the Urhobo Youth Council, Mr. Godspower Enerho, and it was unanimously adopted.”
