The Northern Group wants the pipeline deal with Tompolo to be terminated.

 Concerned Northern Forum has petitioned the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret. ), to order the immediate termination of the N4 billion pipeline surveillance contract that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. had given to former Niger Delta militant Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo. The group asserted that Tompolo's contract would only educate young Nigerians that it was preferable to be "thugs, fugitives than a loyal citizen." Officials and members of the organization requested the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the NNPC LTD and denounced oil and gas thefts as obscene when they assembled in huge numbers at the Arewa House, Kaduna, on Sunday to address a press conference. This occurred when Mallam Ibrahim Bature, the chairman of the Concerned Northern Forum, advised northerners to protect themselves against banditry, kidnapping, and other associated crimes that were devastating the area while briefing journalists on behalf of others. Additionally, he encouraged the National Assembly to release its findings on the ongoing subsidy investigation once the investigations were complete.

"As you are aware, since the revelation of the awarding of the Pipeline Surveillance contract to Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, and others came to public knowledge, the country has been charged over the decision of the Federal Government and the NNPC Ltd to award security contracts to private individuals, especially those with a negative history of raising arms against the state prior to being granted amnesty," he continued. "That the pipeline Surveillance Contract the NNPC Ltd issued to Tompolo should be terminated with immediate effect. We passionately reject and oppose it." Instead of splitting the N48 billion that Tompolo would make annually with the boys, (we) implore the Federal Government to use the money to meet the environmental and developmental needs of the Niger Delta people. "The Tompolo contract would simply teach our young that it's preferable to be thugs and run away from the law than to be a responsible citizen "In light of recent events, we have no choice but to heed the pleas of some Northern Governors to defend ourselves against the banditry and kidnapping plaguing our area. However, doing so will necessitate the employment of weapons, which will eventually lead to another significant issue.

"We implore the FGN to heed our warning and take the appropriate action to prevent a civil uprising.

"We want to urge Mr. President to seriously consider the positions of both the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Customs in light of the NNPC's ridiculous accusations of theft in the oil and gas industry. The NNPC cannot be right while either is incorrect. As a result, severe penalties for the company's top management are needed. Declare a State of Emergency at NNPC Ltd. by assigning Military Administrators to oversee corporate affairs until the inquiry into the subsidy regime, which costs the nation trillions of Naira annually, is over. The National Assembly should be commended for starting the ongoing inquiry into the subsidy regime, and he also urged them to make the process public by broadcasting it live.

#trending #pipeline #tompolo