Pipeline Surveillance: Group To Lori-Ogbebor: If You Can’t Oppose Olu Of Warri’s Contract, Don’t Go After Tompolo’s Job.

A Lagos-based Itsekiri fiery activist, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has come under fire from the Center for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC) for her outbursts directed at High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo over pipeline surveillance contract.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Cleric E. Alaowei, Esq., the chairman of the CHURAC Board of Trustees, claimed that Lori-Ogbebor lacked the moral rectitude to vehemently demand the cancellation of the contract given to Tompolo, a free citizen like everyone else.

www.bigpenngr.com reports that the job of pipeline surveillance that had been offered to Tompolo had caused discontent in some areas of the Niger Delta region.

Alaowei advised Lori-Ogbebor to oppose Olu of Warri as well since he is a private individual like Tompolo and was also given the contract for pipeline surveillance if she is so hell-bent on fighting against Tompolo’s portion of the contract. 

According to a statement by Alaowei, “We expect the least of such tirades from the person of Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor who is from the Warri Federal Constituency like Tompolo, given the barrage of opposition swelling up against the oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo by some disillusioned Nigerians. 

“We don’t know if Chief Rita’s protest is motivated by jealousy over what her brother was able to secure from the federal government. 

“If Chief Rita believes it is not wise for the NNPC Limited to award a contract for the surveillance of an oil pipeline to a private party, she should start advocating for the cancellation of the contract given to the Ocean Marine Company, which was formerly owned by the late Captain Hosa Okunbor and is now managed by the revered Olu of Warri”LoriLorilorilolorilorilo. 

Alaowei said that Chief Lori, who has recently raised her voice in opposition to the contract, should remember that the Olu of Warri, who is also a private individual like Tompolo, received the same contract. “We anticipate hearing her ask the FG to revoke every contract given to a private party”, he added.

The human rights lawyer, said that there are no security threats in the Niger Delta related to the award of the contract to Tompolo or anyone else, saying that President Buhari just did the right thing by granting one of PANDEF’s sixteen demands, so we make the bold claim that Rita Lori-Ogbebor lacks moral rectitude to call for the revocation of the contract awarded to Tompolo who is a free citizen like others.

He said that the Petroleum Industry Act, of course, imposed a duty on the host communities to protect the pipelines in their domains so they can benefit from the pitiful 3% operational cost of the settlers. “We’re happy that Tompolo has used the contract to come to the host communities’ rescue by employing willing youths within his areas of operation”, he maintained.

“What will be more advantageous to the NNPC Limited and the IOCs if not these commendable actions by Tompolo? Not everyone this contract is being awarded to has taken the initiative the former freedom fighter is taking. He deserves to be commended by all well-meaning Nigerians.”

Alaowei, meanwhile, has pleaded with Alhaji Asari-Dokubo to team up with his brother, Tompolo, to ensure that the latter successfully completes the contract. He has advised him to contact NNPC if “he needs the contract, and bid for it too,” according to Alaowei. 

Asari-Dokubo, a crucial Niger Delta stakeholder, is eminently qualified for the job and should simply approach the NNPC Limited like Tompolo did to secure his own portion of the contract, according to Alaowei. “We believe there are pipelines and the NNPC Limited still needs private-support surveillance,” he added.