Says Urhobo Benefiting Fairly from Security Contract

By Tunde Oso

ABUJA – Mayor of Urhoboland and industrialist, Eshanekpe Israel, popularly known as Akpodoro, has strongly opposed the recent call by the Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) for the removal of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL) from its role in securing oil infrastructure in Urhoboland.

In a statement issued over the weekend, Akpodoro maintained that the call was unwarranted and divisive, stressing that the Urhobo nation is already reaping substantial benefits from the current security arrangement under TSSNL.

While acknowledging that the UPU may have acted with good intentions for the Urhobo people, the Mayor argued that the security firm has been working effectively with Urhobo youths since being awarded the surveillance contract.

“Youths from Urhoboland are being well engaged and taken care of under the management of TSSNL. That should suffice,” Akpodoro stated.

He revealed that some Urhobo indigenes are managing significant portions of the contract, but alleged that a prominent Urhobo politician—who he declined to name—has been cornering the proceeds of the contract without distributing the benefits fairly among the people.

“TSSNL has been paying its indigenous Urhobo subcontractors promptly. The company is managed by men of good conscience who take their corporate social responsibilities seriously, impacting communities positively. What wrong has such a company done to deserve a tribalistic call for its removal?” he asked.

Akpodoro called on the UPU to direct its grievances at the politician in question, whom he described as a former high-ranking senator, rather than attacking TSSNL.

“The UPU should summon this individual and stop this ill-advised campaign against a firm that is winning the war against oil theft. Such a call is uncharitable and unproductive,” he said.

He emphasized that rather than confrontation, the UPU leadership should engage TSSNL constructively if there is a need to adjust or improve working relationships.

“As the Mayor of Urhoboland, I have been engaging with the TSSNL management on ways to strengthen collaboration with our youths. Talks are ongoing, and progress is being made,” he added.

Akpodoro disclosed that in June 2024, he led a delegation of Urhobo youths to meet with the TSSNL CEO, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a. Tompolo), in Gbaramatu Kingdom. During the meeting, Tompolo pledged to deepen engagement with the Urhobo people, and the dialogue is ongoing.

He criticized the UPU’s demand as “hasty and incendiary,” warning that such actions could disrupt progress and unity within the region.

“TSSNL should be allowed to continue its good work as mandated by the Federal Government. Calling for their removal at this time only plays into the hands of oil thieves. You don’t change a winning team,” Akpodoro said.

He urged the Federal Government to expand the scope of TSSNL’s operations and increase its funding, stating that the firm has the capacity to completely eradicate oil theft in the Niger Delta.