The Ijaw Youths Network, IYN, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ignore calls for the cancellation of the pipeline surveillance contract conceived by the Federal Government to check oil theft.
The contract, awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited , NNPCL, is being executed by Tantita Security Services Limited.
The IYN, in a statement on Wednesday, said a cabal of oil thieves is behind the calls for the termination of the contract.
The statement signed by Frank Ebikabo and Federal Ebiaridor, IYN Coordinator and Secretary, respectively, said those behind the campaign are not patriotic citizens who have the interest of the nation and its economy at heart.
“The sudden latter-day critics of the pipeline security contract were all silent when the nation’s daily crude oil production dropped to an historical low of 900,000 barrels per day,” the statement noted.
According to the IYN, those calling for the cancellation of the contract are not unaware of the gains made by the Federal Government through its implementation.
While noting that there is still room for improvement, the IYN noted that the nation’s oil production capacity has risen from about 900,000 to 1.64 million barrels per day.
The group equally noted that the number of rogue vessels arrested in connection with oil theft through the collaborative efforts of Tantita and the nation’s military is testament to the fact that the President acted in the nation’s interest by renewing the contract.
“The President deserves commendation for the rare political will to confront the scourge of oil theft with the renewal of the contract in spite of the massive resources deployed by oil thieves and others who lost out in the bidding process, against its renewal,” the IYN added.
