Tantita Pipeline Surveillance Boosts Oil Production, Employs Over 60,000 Niger Delta Youths

The sustained pipeline surveillance and protection efforts of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited have contributed to improved crude oil production, environmental safety and economic activities in the Niger Delta, the company’s Media Consultant, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, has said.

Bebenimibo, who is also Special Adviser to Tantita Chairman, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, disclosed this while speaking on the sidelines of an award presented to the company by Blueprint Newspapers for its contributions to pipeline security and national development.

He said the recognition reflected the growing impact of Tantita’s operations in tackling oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other illegal activities affecting Nigeria’s oil industry.

According to him, Tantita has made significant progress in securing oil infrastructure across the Niger Delta since taking a major role in pipeline surveillance and protection in 2022.

Tantita targets higher crude oil production

Bebenimibo said improved security around oil-producing communities had helped create a safer environment for legitimate economic activities, including farming and fishing, to gradually return.

He added that the company remained committed to supporting efforts to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day, stressing that effective protection of oil infrastructure was critical to achieving the target.

He attributed part of Tantita’s success to Tompolo’s knowledge of the Niger Delta terrain, particularly the creeks and communities where oil facilities are located.

According to him, the company has also deployed modern surveillance technology, including drones, to monitor activities in the creeks and identify illegal operations.

“We have acquired drones that are now picking up every illegal activity that is going on in the creek,” he said.

Over 60,000 Niger Delta youths employed

Beyond pipeline surveillance, Bebenimibo said Tantita had placed youth empowerment at the centre of its strategy to address insecurity and discourage young people from engaging in oil theft, illegal bunkering and other criminal activities.

He disclosed that more than 60,000 youths are currently employed by the company and receive monthly payments.

The Tantita media consultant said the company had also introduced skills acquisition programmes and provided grants and other forms of support to youths, women and men in host communities.

“Tantita is not just employing the youths. It is also giving them skills and promoting their businesses in the area by giving grants to youths, women and men,” he said.

He maintained that the combination of employment, skills development and economic empowerment had contributed to reducing criminal activities in parts of the Niger Delta.

Tantita strengthens media partnership

Bebenimibo also highlighted the company’s growing relationship with the media, describing journalists as important partners in communicating Tantita’s activities and promoting transparency.

He disclosed that Tantita had constructed a correspondents’ secretariat in Delta State and was planning to establish similar structures in other Niger Delta states, as well as a facility for journalists at the national level.

He said the initiative was designed to strengthen the company’s relationship with the media and ensure that its contributions to national development were properly communicated to Nigerians.

Bebenimibo stressed that Tantita’s approach to security went beyond enforcement to include the creation of legitimate economic opportunities for youths and support for host communities.

He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration among security agencies, oil companies, host communities, the media and private security contractors would further protect Nigeria’s oil infrastructure, increase crude oil production and boost government revenue.