By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The House of Representatives has advocated a sustained security of oil facilities, saying that the country had no reason to borrow to fund budgets with security of offshore oil facilities.

A high-powered delegation from the House on oversight function, however expressed delight over the existing partnership between Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited and non-State actors towards ensuring security of oil facilities in the oil producing region of the country, which has resulted in increase in the volume of crude oil production.

The delegation commended the Federal Government, the navy and Tompolo’s company, Tantita Security Service Nigeria Ltd, stressing the need for government to look into offshore oil theft.

Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Peter Akpatason, who led the high-powered delegation alongside the Chairman, House Committee on petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. made the observation during the 3-day oversight function to the Creeks/riverine areas of Delta State.

While acknowledging the successes recorded in the crude oil production sequel to the signing of the pipeline surveillance contract with Tantita Security Services Limited.

“Our mission is to evaluate the situation and also to be able to make contribution in legislative terms towards ameliorating the situation and in this case the Niger Delta in particular towards enhancing the capacity of this nation to produce and sell oil. To be able to fund the budget and to promote development of both human capital and infrastructure of this country.

“In the course of this journey, we have visited different sites, including oil production facilities, pipelines, well-heads and flow stations. As a result of the recent partnership between Tantita, your company and NNPC we have seen significant improvement in the ability of this country to produce hydrocarbon which basically is the major foreign earnings for this country.

“As concerned citizens, we believe whatever that can be done to ensure improvement in the nation’s capacity to earn income for funding development, and reducing borrowing which has become a thing of concerns to many Nigerians, that effort must be supported.

“And that is exactly what is happening just now and we felt in the cause of tour of the industry, we have to come here to appreciate you and urge you to step up and do even more. We have seen the improvement in the Creeks, in the land areas.

“But there is still more to be done if we can achieve currently what we are experiencing in this area, also in the offshore, Nigeria will have no reason to borrow money to fund budget and to borrow money to fund projects that we so dearly need as a nation.

“So, we appreciate you for that, and we have also seen how much work that is taking place in those areas that we have transverse in the cause of our journey to this place and our interactions with members of these communities, showed that they are currently enjoying a very reasonable amount of stability as a result of the improved security situation.

“Some of the community people told us how free they feel to go about their fishing activities. It tells us that when the local people are given the mandate to gather information and support the security forces, and also help combat crime in their locality, it goes a long way to solve the problem.

“Because of insecurity, a lot of people feel uncomfortable to go about their business activities. The oil companies complained about spending so much money to fix pipelines when they are vandalized and all of this add to the cost of production and reduces what gets to the Federal Government for development.

“So, every effort that has been made and being made towards ensuring improved security to us, is a thing that must be appreciated and must be supported. So in any which way that we can achieve this, we will continue to support,” he assured.

Hon. Akpatason also tasked the stakeholders on the need to desist from destruction of boats and other seized items, rather proposed that such seized items should be integrated into the government assets.

In his brief remarks, Chairman of Tantita Security Service Nigeria Ltd, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, who briefed the delegation on the ongoing efforts to ensure security of oil facilities as well as harmony within the oil producing communities, urged the lawmakers to come up with necessary legislative instruments and policies that will sustain the gains recorded so far.

“The leader of the delegation and all the honourable members, I want to thank all of you very well for coming. I will not disappoint you. We will do our part and I still want all of you to do your own part over there,” he urged.

While giving insight to the oversight function, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency of Delta State, Hon. Julius Pondi expressed satisfaction over the results achieved so far in the oil producing communities across the Niger Delta region.

The 24 man delegation include: Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, Hon. Julius Pondi, Hon. Sergius Ogun and Hon. Boma Goodhead among others.