The Nigerian Youth Council of States Impacted by Host Oil, Gas and Pipeline Producing Communities (HOSTCONYCN) has commended the President of Nigeria, Senator Bola Tinubu, for ensuring the disbursement of over N200 billion to the Trust Fund Community Development Fund (HCDTF).
Speaking at a global press conference held in Abuja on behalf of former agitators, environmental experts, socio-economic advocates, young intellectuals and civil society organizations from oil and gas producing communities, the Chairman of HOSTCONYCN, Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, stated that the gesture has improved infrastructure and socio-economic development in the host communities.
Mr. Fiawei Pathfinder further explained that HOSTCONYCN which was established to defend, preserve, promote and ensure the proper implementation of the 3% provision of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) relating to the Community Development Trust Fund Hosts (HCDTF), will continue to advocate for the protection of crude oil and gas resources.
Elaborating, he said: “Our goal is to collaborate with the necessary authorities on the best way forward for oil and gas producing communities. We are the eyes, the ears, the heart, the strength and the foot soldiers of these communities.
“And we insist that as very critical and fundamental stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, we must engage and move forward on all matters of PIA and HOSTCON. We congratulate the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Eng. Gbenga Komolafe, for his laudable transformation and reform policies.
“We congratulate you for using your policies to restructure, reorganize and clean up the nation's oil sector by strategically repositioning the upstream sector and for working closely with host communities to ensure the inauguration of the Host Community Development Fund (HCDT) in all oil producing areas. states and communities.
“We also applaud Eng. Gbenga Komolafe for his unwavering commitment and dedication to accountability, transparency and efficient utilization of natural resources to achieve the cardinal objectives of NUPRC, thereby ensuring effective productivity and service delivery for the improvement of our nation.
READ ALSO: Abuja stampede: Obi blames recent tragedies on systemic failures
“We further commend your proper implementation of the disbursement of the 3% fund contained in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which goes directly to the host communities. It has successfully disbursed over N200 billion to HCDT for infrastructure and socio-economic development in these communities.
“We therefore urge all stakeholders in the oil and gas communities to ensure the protection of pipelines and facilities in the region. We also encourage you to join hands with NUPRC boss Eng Komolafe to ensure sustainable development, stability and growth of oil production in the economy.
“At this juncture, the leadership of the Nigerian Youth Council of States Impacted by Oil, Gas and Pipeline Producing Host Communities expresses gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for re-awarding the Security Pipeline Surveillance Contract Tantite to protect oil and gas assets.
“This has significantly increased the country's oil production from 1.8 million barrels per day and is now approaching 2 million barrels per day, scheduled for December 2024. This progress is due to laudable efforts and tireless sacrifices contributed by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
“We are hopeful that by January or February 2025, oil production will increase to more than 2.5 million barrels per day, ensuring the nation's economic stability.
“In this regard, we, the Nigerian Youth Council of States Impacted by Oil, Gas and Pipeline Producing Host Communities, hereby approve a vote of confidence in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and the leadership of High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.
“The HOSTCON Youth Council fully supports the Managing Director and management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited to continue their laudable work towards the upliftment of oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.
“We also congratulate the management of Tantita Security Services and salute the leadership of Eng. Mathew Tonlagha, executive vice president; the Director General, Senior Chief Engr. Keston Pondi; and Chief Operating Officer, Sir Godfrey Tare Pondi, for his unwavering commitment.
“Their dedication and tireless efforts have achieved exceptional successes, increasing oil production from 900,000 barrels in 2022 to 1.8 million barrels per day in 2024.
“We therefore appeal to Mr President and Group CEO of NNPC, Engr Mele Kyari, to increase funding for Tantita Security Services’ pipeline surveillance contract and expand its scope of coverage.”
Giving an account of Tantita's successes, he said: “3,963 incidents of crude oil theft were captured in IMRA. Of these figures, 702 were illegal connection points, 971 were cases of theft, 1,784 were cases of illegal refineries involving the destruction of 3,063 facilities (some illegal refineries were clustered and had more than one train) and 204 were cases of aversion/ deterrence. .
“In October 2022, 58 illegal extraction points were discovered in crude oil bunkers in Delta and Bayelsa. Illegal underwater crude oil pipelines connected to the Trans Forcados export trunk line in Delta State were also discovered, including a 4 kilometer illegal pipeline connected from the Trans Escravos line to the sea.
“More than 5,000 illegal connections were discovered in NNPCL pipelines. On some lines within a 100-kilometer radius of the pipelines, up to 300 insertions were recorded. Tantita detained more than 8 vessels, 4 tugboats, 6 barges, 117 vehicles, 52 tanker trucks, 47 fiber/fast boats, 7 tricycles/motorcycles and 1,743 wooden boats involved in illegal operations.
“We strongly applaud the administration of President Bola Tinubu for having faith in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. We believe that even greater achievements will be made in 2025 as we, the Nigerian Youth Council of States Impacted by Host Oil, Gas and Pipeline Producing Communities (HOSTCONYCN), work closely with the leadership and management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited to ensure greater impact.”