The Commandant General of the Coast-Guard Riverine Security Network operating in the riverine areas of the country, Commander Bibi Oduku has appealed to the Federal Government to spread out the contract of protecting oil pipelines in the coastal areas to other ex-militants for the effectiveness of the process.
Commander Oduku reasoned that allowing only the former warlord Tompolo to handle the contract will create restiveness and envy among other ex-militants stating that this has been the reason why oil bunkering has continued unabated.
In an interview in Abuja, the Coast-guard Security Network leader faulted the recognition given to Tompolo alone pointing out that making the former warlord the sole contractor to guard the pipeline in the Niger Delta region was a wrong policy that should be reviewed in the interest of peace in the geo-political zone.
According to the security chief, the appointment of Tompolo as sole contractor supervising the pipeline security in the Niger Delta has selfish undertones and was not done in the interest of the region.
“All the security apparatus of the nation are enough to stop pipeline vandalism but the government because of politics decided to give the contract to one man. My advice to the government is to ensure that the contract is spread in a manner that sub-contractors can be created out of other warlords in the interest of peace,” he said.
On the operations of the group, he said, “We have been working hand in hand with the Joint Task Force to fight sea piracy, kidnapping, militancy, oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism and other anti-social activities in the riverine areas of the country. Generally, we have contributed in protecting lives and properties of innocent citizens in these areas for about seven years now.
“The focus of our operation is to make sure that the activities of sea pirates are brought to a minimum to acceptable levels. We have many challenges such as poor financing and equipment.
“Promises we got from government have not been fulfilled. We need boats and we do not have the sufficient equipment we need to function well. We are however hopeful that we would overcome such challenges.
“Coast-Guard Riverine Security Network officers do face a lot of challenges when we encounter sea pirates who are usually heavily armed. Our operations are very challenging but we lack the logistics. The government should know that we need proper materials to function well in the riverine areas.”
He also appealed to the Niger Delta Development Commission [NDDC] to focus attention on the security and the development of the people rather than spending so much money on many white elephant projects that are substandard.
“I appeal to the NDDC board to provide proper security for the region. I also advice voters in the region not to engage in violence but to remember that the politicians are always fraternising with each other even after inducing the youth into violence.
“Do not carry arms and kill people because of politics. Do not betray your brothers or do the negative bidding of politicians because of politics. Rather, we should put our heads together and do what is right to improve the Niger Delta region,” he concluded.
