Multi-billion naira oil pipeline surveillance contract emboldens criminals – Rafsanjani | Tellwell Newspaper
Tellwell Newspaper, Abuja – Nigeria:
The Nigerian government is unwittingly promoting criminality by awarding 48 billion naira contact for the protection of oil pipelines against sabotage in the Niger-Delta to a former militant in the region, a renown social activist has said.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLA),
condemned the award of the humongous surveillance contract by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to an ex-militant leader
Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo as inimical to peace in the oil-producing region as it empowers criminal elements and makes them more daring.
In a statement he issued, Rafsanjani made reference to Tompolo’s past criminal records and troubles with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the years, questioning the integrity of NNPC for ignoring the ex-oil rebel’s antecedents before awarding him the contract.
“What is the value of the investments and allocations made from the national treasury to the numerous security paraphernalia in Nigeria if an ex-militant is seen to be more competent to deliver on security issues than the entire armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Rafsanjani asked rhetorically.
“Who oversighted the procurement process of this award, were there bids, and what process led to his emergence on this award, or is our bureau of public procurement also an incompetent institution that couldn’t deliver on a free and equitable process?”, he queried.
The CISLAC boss further made reference to the agitation of rival groups who blamed the government for not consulting them before awarding the contract.
These groups are said to have threatened to sabotage the execution of the contract for not being carried along.
Rafsanjani wondered if NNPC awarded the contract to Tampolo as a government agency or as an autonomous commercial entity that should be running its costs based on performance.
“It is really sad that the Nigerian government is promoting criminality,” he said.
“So, criminals can take up arms against the state and they can now rubbish our own security; the police, navy, army, and DSS, meaning all of them cannot secure the country or the oil pipelines.”
Rafsanjani further urged the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to uphold the commitment and mantra that brought them to power in 2015.
He stated that it is still not late for the administration to redeem its image and make decisions that are “just, fair, and civil for the greater good of Nigeria”.
