Former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo has called on stakeholders, ex-militant leaders as well as bunkering dealers and operators of local refineries in the Niger Delta region “to help reduce the level of oil theft and pollution caused by bunkering activities in the region”.
Tompolo, who was recently awarded a pipeline surveillance contract in the region by the Federal Government, made the call at a consultative meeting he held with the stakeholders on Friday at Oporoza community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of the state.
Addressing the forum, Tompolo sought for attendees’ cooperation in the task ahead just as he disclosed that the women group would be allotted 40 per cent of the surveillance contract.
He also stated that no oil-producing and impacted community within the scope of the contract would be left out.
Tompolo appealed to bunkering operators to cooperate and work in synergy with him to ensure that cases of oil theft are addressed.
Some of the local refinery and bunkering operators who spoke at the meeting agreed to work in synergy with Tompolo noting that their plight should be deeply considered in the contract as they would be put out of business.
Also speaking on behalf of the civil society organizations in the region, Austin Ozobo, thanked Tompolo for inviting stakeholders and ex-agitators to become beneficiaries of the scope of the contract, and consistently fighting for the emancipation of the region.
While noting that the entire Niger Delta environment has been highly polluted, Ozobo stressed the need for reduction of the oil bunkering activities to reclaim the destroyed environment.
He added that the cooperation of the bunkering operators was imperative for peace to reign and to restore a cleaner environment in the region.
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