News
PWA demands forensic audit of pipeline surveillance contract , says current contract monopolistic, violation of PIA
Cyril Ogar
A leading advocacy group in Nigeria under the aegis of People’s Wellbeing Association (PWA) has said that the current pipeline surveillance contract is a gross violation of the Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA), calling for a forensic audit of the contract from inception.
It should be recalled that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded the pipeline surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, led by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), in August/September 2022.
The contract, valued at approximately ₦48 billion annually, aimed to curb oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The PWA’s Head of Communication Unit, Comrade Abba Abubakar said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Abubakar who called for equitable distribution of the contract to host communities, said the present structure of the pipeline surveillance contract remained skewed, benefitting a few other than the major stakeholders.
“The current pipeline surveillance contract is a violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) with regards to the effective participation of host communities in protecting oil facilities located in their domain.
“The present arrangement where the pipeline security was entrusted in the hands of a few companies violates section 257 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which states that host communities must be directly involved in protecting oil facilities located in their ancestral lands,” he said.
Abubakar who reiterated calls for forensic audit of the contract, said Pipeline protection should involve indigenous stakeholders from the ethnic nations and communities where these facilities are located.
According to him, the present structure reflects an unhealthy concentration of opportunity and influence, leaving many oil-producing ethnic nations with little or no meaningful participation.
He said that the monopolistic arrangement of the pipeline security framework has instead created rancour, resentment thereby undermining unity in the Niger Delta region.
Abubakar vehemently condemned the contract of exclusion, saying that any system that excludes many of the host communities from pipeline protection undermines fairness and regional stability.
The PWA Communication Unit Head regretted that the federal government made a huge financial commitment in the area of pipeline surveillance over the years, yet the nation’s crude output is minimal compared to what it used to be.
Abubakar however called for a forensic audit of the ₦4 billion monthly pipeline surveillance contract, due to brazen instances of economic exclusion and calls for better regional distribution.
News
10th Memorial: KSI Group Unveils Funke Fadeni Foundation to Empower Women and You
Cyril Ogar
A real estate firm, KSI Group, Monday in Ondo State, officially unveiled the Funke Fadeni Foundation, in celebration of the 10th remembrance anniversary of Late Chief Adefunke Fadeni, the mother of popular real estate investor, Engr. (Dr.) Koleola Emmanuel Fadeni.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director of KSI Group, Engr. (Dr.) Koleola Emmanuel Fadeni, said the Foundation had informally embarked on humanitarian interventions before deciding to formalize the interventions with the unveiling of the foundation.
He said: “KSI Group is a group of companies that the Funke Fadeni Foundation is under. The only thing that I believe that make me happy in my life is when everybody is okay. We have been doing this thing for over 10 years. We have been raising people, giving them hope in Abuja and here in Ondo.
“Our governments have been trying their best with regards to curbing insecurity, but they need support. This is why we are engaging in the empowerment of Ondo people, to help get them engaged and to curb insecurity. Also, as a wealthy individual, you can do better for society. Even if it means constructing 10 kilometers or 10 metres of road.”
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi (aka Landmark), said the empowerment of Nigerian youths will help curb insecurity in Nigeria, praising the Foundation for taking the initiative.
Hon. Adesanmi, however, said that the issue of insecurity is multifaceted and not for the government alone to tackle, saying it requires the collaboration of community members.
He said: “Security is not mainly a government affair. The issue of security is a major one. All hands must be on deck in solving it. Security agencies work on information provided by community members. They’re humans and need support of community members to tackle the issue of insecurity. The state governor is doing his best in tackling insecurity. We recently employed about 500 Amotekun to support the existing ones.
“Therefore, with the unveiling of the Funke Fadeni Foundation today, which has been in the business of empowering youths over the years, the crime rate will reduce in Ondo State as those who are gainfully employed cannot go into crime. It is important in solving some of the problems, especially vocational training and all that. I’ve seen the number of children that the foundation has really empowered so I want to thank Engr. (Dr.) Koleola Emmanuel Fadeni for this initiative.
“This type of empowerment will go a long way in reducing insecurity in our community because by the time these children or youth move to their work places, they will be gainfully employed and won’t think of crime. Therefore, I’ll employ well meaning Nigerians, especially Ondo people, to emulate the Funke Fadeni Foundation in the empowerment of Nigerians to curb insecurity.”
On his part, the Executive Chairman of Ondo East Local Government, Ogunduyilemi Kola Joshua, lauded the GMD of KSI Group for the initiative of unveiling the foundation, saying it complements the effort of the council in curbing insecurity as youth empowerment is critical in human development.
Also speaking, the Operation Manager of Funke Fadeni Foundation, Mr Desmond Okunware, said the foundation will be different from other similar foundations with programmes it has mapped out for the empowerment of women and the youth.
Highlight of the event was the cutting of the 10th year remembrance cake by dignitaries and family members at the event and donations to the foundation.
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