Tantita seeks more investment in oil sector
The Managing Director, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Kestin Pondi, an engineer, has called for bigger investment in the oil and gas sector to align with President Bola Tinubu’s
- NNPC: oil production growth is result of pipeline security
- By Muyiwa Lucas and Elo Edremoda, Warri
The Managing Director, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Kestin Pondi, an engineer, has called for bigger investment in the oil and gas sector to align with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of increased production.
Pondi, while at a Parliamentary Roundtable on the State of Pipelines Security which held at the National Assembly, said: “The issue is no longer about the oil being stolen, but us investing more to achieve the President’s agenda of increased production.”
He emphasised that deeper investment in technology, human capital development, and community participation would unlock even higher output.
“We can still do better. Why can we do better? Because we still have shortened barrels. We need to invest more in the sector,” he said.
Pondi defended the current structure of the surveillance contract, noting that the company had already adopted a decentralised operational model by engaging host communities across its areas of operations in the Niger Delta.
According to him, the success recorded so far is rooted in local participation. “At Tantita, we say we don’t protect the assets from the people, we protect the assets with the people and that has given us the result that we have earned till today,” Pondi said.
He also highlighted the sacrifices made in the course of operations, their work with government security agencies and the loss of foot soldiers in the past three years.
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In a press statement issued by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, an engineer, while also speaking at the Roundtable, attributed the spike in national crude oil production to the to the establishment of the integrated energy security for pipelines in the Niger Delta.
He noted that the country’s crude oil production rose from a paltry 960,000 barrels per day in 2022, to an average of 1.71 million barrels per day and a peak production of 1.84 million barrels per day in 2025.
Ojulari in the statement said the resurgence of production is due to the effective tackling of the twin menace of oil theft and pervasive pipeline sabotage, which has led to the restoration of investors’ confidence in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
He maintained that the increase was not accidental as it involved an “integrated energy security model that combines legislative and executive policy alignment, actionable intelligence, kinetic deployment capabilities, regulatory oversight, industry cooperation, and community‑embedded surveillance mechanisms.”
In his welcome address, the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, called for collaboration among agencies and stakeholders in resolving all challenges impeding production growth.
Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, who was represented by the Leader of the House, Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere, urged the forum to evaluate the progress made so far with a view to ensuring fairness and equity.
He underscored the strategic importance of sustaining gains in the oil sector amid global energy uncertainties.
He noted that geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, continue to disrupt supply chains and elevate crude prices.
He emphasised that the engagement of private security firms and host communities has proven critical, not only in safeguarding infrastructure, but also in creating jobs and reducing unrest in the Niger Delta.
He, however, acknowledged lingering concerns around transparency and accountability, stressing the need for sustained oversight.
Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Henry Okojie, who moved the motion, said available records show significant progress in curbing vandalism and boosting production.
The committees also rejected three petitions challenging the surveillance contract, citing measurable gains in oil output and infrastructure protection since its introduction in 2022.
The Parliamentary Roundtable on the State of Pipelines Security was convened by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources. It had in attendance the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence, and representatives of oil industry regulatory agencies.
The Roundtable also featured presentations by the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of State Services, Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, and private security companies.
