By Kasongo D’Warthog
The hypocrisy of the Itsekiri nation has gone beyond a manageable dimension. Their stand on issues are beclouded neither by good reason nor integrity but on their premeditated mindset of negativity towards the Ijaw people.
Just yesterday (18th June, 2025) some Itsekiri youths embarked on a protest of animosity against the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
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Their argument was premised on the principle of indigenous participation of the local companies in the surveillance sector.
Their cry was that companies owned by the local communities should be in charge of the protection of the oil and gas infrastructure in the local communities.
READ ALSO: Group Blasts Call for Cancellation of Tantita Contract, Labels Warri Group Bunkering Organisation
What I glean from the above is that there is no single right-thinking person among these disgruntled elements.
How many oil impacted Communities do the Itsekiris have in comparative proportion to that of the Ijaws? If their unreasonable demand is to be given credence, can their monarch’s owned pipeline surveillance company operate anywhere in Bayelsa, Rivers and Imo States?
Is their Monarch aware that he is in gross violation of the principles of local content under the interpretation of his sponsored elements? Are all the companies operating in Itsekiri territory owned by Itsekiris? Are CNL and Rennaisance Itsekiri owned companies?
Is this selective interpretation from the point of fair judgement or a sheer demonstration of a well-orchestrated business war strategically plotted by their monarch?
Is this a covert attempt to cover up the daily bunkering and oil theft carried out in Itsekiri communities as unravelled by Tantita and corroborated by the Nigerian Navy?
Has their monarch portrayed any sense of indigenous culture is his words, actions and way of life?
The Itsekiri people must wake up from this state of self-inflicted delusion which has not only belaboured their minds but stunted their growth in all facets of human endeavour.
The Itsekiri people must put away their unrestrained pride, hate and bitterness as their monarch rightly advised. This may however, be very difficult for them as the one who advises against the concept is the very advocate of it.
The NNPCL is very aware that it has not violated the underlying principle of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, which places the Nigerian Content and not the Itsekiri Content as the Management Philosophy of project execution in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited is a company duly registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act with track record of excellent service delivery.
Their adherence to indigenous participation can be seen from its employment of indigenous unit coordinators, a policy that the naysayers feign ignorance about.
READ ALSO: Gbaramatu Raises Alarm Over Alleged Kill Threats to Ijaw Communities, Accuses Itsekiri Elements of Plot
In the real sense of it, why could be more indigenous than using indigenous manpower in the field of operation. The NNPCL is intelligent enough to point out the fact that the campaign against Tantita which is coming only from the Itsekiris in the midst of worldwide appraisal and commendation of the company’s activity is an ominous sign of blackmail from a co-contractor who is not happy about the underperformance of his firm in comparison with Tantita’s strides.
Tantita shall continue to soar higher and higher while its blackmailers continue to crash under the yokes of their own bitterness.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Daily Report Nigeria.
