By NaijaonpointReporters
The Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri in Elem Kalabari, His Royal Majesty King Asari-Dokubo, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the alleged payment of about ₦2.7 trillion annually for pipeline surveillance in the Niger Delta.
King Asari-Dokubo made the call in a live video, where he questioned the alleged financial value of the pipeline surveillance arrangement involving the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and Dr. Osahon Okunbo, Managing Director of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).
The monarch urged the anti-graft agencies to thoroughly examine the contract, its funding structure, payments made to the contractors and the actual services delivered under the arrangement.
‘Stop Attacking Tompolo’
Asari-Dokubo also came to the defence of former Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, warning critics to stop what he described as unnecessary attacks against him.
According to the monarch, Tantita Security Services, the company associated with Tompolo, is the most visible private security outfit operating across the Niger Delta and has maintained extensive engagement with communities and stakeholders.
Asari-Dokubo claimed that Tantita has been involved in youth empowerment, community engagement and security operations across the region, despite receiving less money than the amount he attributed to PINL.
He said:
«“Tompolo through Tantita is the only security company that is visible in the Niger Delta, engaging stakeholders and empowering youths, while Tantita is collecting lesser amount compared to PINL.”»
The monarch further claimed that Tantita’s presence and workforce had contributed to improved crude oil production in Nigeria.
According to him, the company has personnel and operations spread across several parts of the Niger Delta, describing Tantita as being “everywhere” in the region.
‘Stop Calling the Head of Tompolo’
Asari-Dokubo warned critics against what he described as attempts to continually target Tompolo while ignoring questions surrounding other pipeline surveillance arrangements.
He urged those raising concerns about pipeline security contracts to apply the same standard of scrutiny across all companies involved in the sector.
He argued that if questions were being raised about the amount being paid for pipeline surveillance, attention should also be directed towards establishing how much other contractors receive, what services they provide and the measurable impact of their operations on oil production and security in the Niger Delta.
Calls for Transparency
The monarch specifically called on the EFCC and ICPC to establish the actual amount involved in the PINL arrangement and determine whether the funds were properly utilised.
For Asari-Dokubo, the central issue is accountability: if billions or trillions of naira are being spent on pipeline security, Nigerians deserve transparency on how much is paid, who receives the funds, what services are delivered and what impact those operations have on oil production and the people of the Niger Delta.