By Tope Kolawole
A Niger Delta Environmental Activist and community development expert, Comrade Alex Ekerebenah has condemned. Comrade Preye Tambou over comments he made warning against opposition to the pipeline surveillance contract renewal to Tantita.
Ekerebenah described the warning by Preye as a desperate attempt to defend his pocket and advance a selfish interest against the collective yearning of the vast Majority of the Niger Delta people.
Ekerebenah said it is unfortunate that elements such as Preye Tambou will not relent in promoting causes that benefit their pocket alone.
He said no patriotic indigene of Niger Delta will support the renewal of a contract that has no direct benefit to the majority of Niger Delta people.
“Only Preye and a few individuals have benefited from the millions of dollars contract that has ended in the pocket of a very few individuals leaving the vast majority of the Niger Delta people in abject poverty.
“Somebody must remind Preye that we are no longer in the eras when a few individuals will be throwing billions around while millions of our people struggle for one square meal per day’, – Comr. Ekerebenah declared.
Ekerebenah also insisted that it was time for Mr. President to review and correct the ambiguity and oversight committed by Timipre Sylva and Mele Kyari, who midwifed the Pipeline Surveillance Contract award to Tantita, during their time as Chief of Staff and minster of state for petroleum
“You will recall that the pipeline surveillance contract was at his instance and until a comprehensive audit is made into the finances of Tantita to properly understand the sources of the funds allegedly being spent by Timipre Sylva .
“The haste with which Sylva awarded the contracts without considering the yearnings of other states and locals is no longer sustainable under the inclusive democratic ideals of Mr. President”,- Alex Ekerebenah insisted.
Speaking further with journalists Monday evening, the renowned environmental activist dismissed claims that such opposition were ethnic based, insisting that it is in the best interest of the Niger Delta people and Nigeria that each of the oil producing states are empowered to handle the surveillance of pipelines within their dormain, arguing that using locals to protect the pipelines will yield more positive reward and engender a sense of belonging and ensure lasting peace in the region.
“What we are advocating for is a liberal system that supports indigenes from each of the oil producing states to protect and guard Pipelines, oil exploration and installations within their states. The current method has not yielded the desired output as those entrusted with the bogus Pipeline surveillance contracts failed to carry the locals along, fanning the embers of division and marginalization. True peace will only return when we carry the locals along and allow indigenes to particiapate in Pipeline surveillance contracts within their states”,- Akerebenah stressed
