THE INSANITY CALLED PIPELINE SURVEILLANCE CONTRACT! The heightened attacks on pipelines coincided with the ongoing negotiation between the federal government team and some of the ex-militants for the renewal of the pipeline surveillance contracts amidst pressure from other militants to be accommodated in the deal. The cost of the expired pipeline contract is put at N5.6 billion. It was awarded by the government to the ex-militants to check oil theft in the once volatile region. A report by Wall Street Journal last year said Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo got $9 million yearly to pay his 4,000 former foot soldiers to protect the pipelines, while Ebikabowei “Boyloaf” Victor Ben and Ateke Tom got $3.8 million a year apiece to have their men guard the pipelines. Another ex-militant leader-Government ‘Tompolo’ Ekpmupolo had a $22.9 million a year contract to do the same job. According to sources, the NNPC evaluation of the performance of the ex-militant leaders showed a poor rating with Tompolo rated highest as “using the contract as directed to protect the pipelines in the Delta.” Oil production at the peak of militants’ activities in the Niger Delta was at 1.3 million barrels per day while output increased progressively up to 2.7 million barrels per day after the amnesty programme and the award of pipelines surveillance contracts ThisDay, July 14th, 2013.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:30:15 +0000
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