Urhobo Reject Tantita, Demand Indigenous Pipeline Security

The leadership of the Urhobo ethnic group in Delta State has formally rejected the continued engagement of Tantita Security Services for oil pipeline surveillance across Urhobo territory, calling instead for the contract to be awarded to a qualified security outfit of Urhobo origin.

In a unified position conveyed through a letter to relevant authorities, the apex Urhobo socio-cultural body, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), and its youth wings declared their dissatisfaction with the current security arrangement, which they say excludes the people most affected by oil exploration in the region.

The letter was jointly signed by UPU President General, Olorogun Ese Gam, SAN, Secretary General, Mr. David Esiekpe, UPU Youth Wing President, Activist Blessed Ughere, Secretary Egheniji Oghenegueke, President of the Urhobo Youth Leaders Association, Olorogun Samuel Oghotomo, and Secretary, Olorogun Dr. Augustine Atiti.

According to the signatories, the Urhobo people who host several oil mining leases (OMLs) including OML 26, OML 28, OML 30, OML 34, OML 62, OML 65, and the Otorogun Gas Plant remain largely sidelined in the oil and gas industry despite their significant contributions as a top producer of both crude oil and natural gas.

They argue that Urhobo communities, comprising 24 kingdoms and over 455 towns and villages with an estimated population of 7.5 million people, are best positioned to safeguard their own environment and resources under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021. The law empowers host communities to take charge of oil facility protection and holds them accountable for any damages or disruptions.

“The Petroleum Industry Act is clear host communities are not only responsible for the protection of oil and gas infrastructure but also risk forfeiting entitlements if sabotage occurs. It is only logical that those who bear the brunt of the environmental and social impact should be in control of surveillance operations,” the statement read.

Citing repeated marginalisation in administrative appointments and contract awards, the leaders rejected what they termed as the imposition of external firms driven by profit and detached from local realities. They insist that any future surveillance contract must be awarded to a competent Urhobo security contractor.

The UPU Youth Wing Worldwide and the Urhobo Youth Leaders Association have also held separate General Assembly meetings, reaffirming their collective stance against Tantita Security Services and demanding a complete review of the surveillance arrangement in Urhobo land.