Mayor of Urhoboland, Eshanekpe Israel (Akpodoro), has appealed for calm in the face-off  between Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

In a statement in Ughelli, Delta State, Akpodoro said TSSNL doesn’t deserve verbal attacks from Urhobo, noting that no firm has empowered Urhobo people like TSSNL, owned and managed by Chief Government Ekpemukpolo (Tompolo).

His call is a reaction to the feud between the umbrella body of the Urhobo and private security firm, TSSNL, a body managing oil pipelines security surveillance for the Federal Government.

UPU, at the weekend, called for the sack of TSSNL from Urhoboland, and suggested that the security surveillance contract be given to indigenous security outfit, a move the mayor described as misplaced since the private firm had been doing a good job in securing the pipelines from prolonged pillaging by saboteurs.

“TSSNL, owned by an Ijaw son, has done more than anyone in Urhoboland to exit our youths from poverty in its empowerment drive and this should make the umbrella body of Urhobo back the firm.

“It is pertinent to note that when the oil pipelines’ security surveillance contract was awarded to stakeholders, particularly former militants leaders, NNPCL gave the western axis to TSSNL from where most of the pipelines in Urhoboland was sub-let to Zane Energy, owned and managed by Jim Omo-Agege, a younger brother of former deputy Senate president. 

“The contract was erroneously awarded to Omo-Agege …. I took this matter before UPU, but there was not much response against him, and he went away with the contract.

“The Presidential Amnesty Agreement mentioned former  militants as the first beneficiaries of such contract with the right of first refusal. But without enough consultation, the contract was sub-let to Omo-Agege by TSSN.

“Unfortunately, the man holding fort for the Urhobo in that contract is not empowering Urhobo.

“However, TSSNL with the likes of Chief Keston Pondi, identified Urhobo youths and empowered many…

“In June 2024, at Gbaramatu, Tompolo promised to work with a template to accommodate more youths of Urhonoland through UPU Youth Wing It’s information that while we await TSSNL to hand them the memorandum, we begin to hear discordant tunes. This is not good for us. Tomopolo/TSSNL should be supported to succeed, not attacks. The Urhobo shouldn’t attack TSSNL because it has been and still uplifting our people and exiting them from poverty…’’ he noted.

“Urhobo has been part of TSSNL progress, and that must remain to build unity and peace. Urhobo and Ijaw cannot antagonise each other. I call for peace, understanding, tolerance, unity in diversity, and  a stronger bond of brotherhood and friendship… he said.

“TSSNL will soon come up with a work template that will accommodate more Urhobo youths add value to every one of us. We have the association of the benefiaries of the TSSNL’s social responsibilities, and we are proud to have Tompolo, Pondi, and Dr. Dennis Otuaro. The rejection of the TSSNL is the most uncharitable thing to do by any responsible group. Rather than condemn, UPU should, on behalf of Urhobo nation commend the firm for standing tell in its commitment to a better Urhobo nation.

“If any entity must be rejected in the oil pipelines surveillance contract award, it should be Zane Enegy Services LTD.owned by Omo-Agege. Every grievance having to do with poor empowerment has to be directed at Omo-Agege and his Zane Energy. He doesn’t deserve that contract. He has no single Urhobo youth in his payroll except a handful of his kits and kins in Orogun.

“Tantita, NPDC, and the NNPCL should immediately sack Zane Energy Services from the pipelines surveillance contract. That company doesn’t represent Urhobo nation.

“To this end, I crave the indulgence of the leadership of UPU to reconsider their stance on the erroneous call for the sack of TSSNL. That company has done more than any government ever did for youths in Delta State and beyond. TSSNL is the biggest industry in the Niger Delta region. We should not destroy our own. Let’s support TSSNL to do more for Urhobo nation. This renewed effort by the mayor will hopefully yield results soon.” His Excellency enthused.