The Ijaw National Congress has advised the former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo) on the execution of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to him by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited.
The multi-million naira pipeline surveillance contract was awarded the NNPCL last month to five different companies, two of which were linked to Tompolo; a decision which had been attracting controversies.
Speaking in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the INC Publicity Secretary, Ezonebi Oyekem, said the decision to award the contract to Tompolo was a government decision after considering relevant options.
He added that it was an indication of government conviction that he would deliver.
“This is a government decision; the losses by the federal government are much. They have looked at other options, they have engaged official security personnel and saw that there is a challenge and if the government deem it wise and say that let us engage private companies to carry out this exercise, it is a good one.
He stated that only a group with the hiding motive will attack the government for taking a step to eradicate crimes from the society.
“If it is not awarded to Tompolo, then who, now that the contract has been awarded to somebody from the Niger Delta region, I think it’s a good development. If the contract has been awarded to somebody outside the Niger Delta what we are going to be reacting to.’’
