A group, the Niger Delta Peace Front (NDPF), has urged youths in the region, especially ex-militants to avoid being used by ‘saboteurs’ against Nigeria’s economy.

The NDPF said the ex-militants have through the media been criticising the renewal of the pipeline protection contract, warning them to be wary of “unscrupulous persons who do not mean well for the nation”.

The group gave the admonition in a statement issued by its chairman and secretary, Patterson Efemena and Onyem Philip, respectively, on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

It stated that those who benefitted immensely from the Tantita Security Services Limited in the first phase of the contract were the ones championioning subversiveness against the firm.

The group, however, advised the ex militants “who have committed huge amounts of money to discredit Tantita and the NNPC in the media to stop dissipating energy on an issue rightly decided by the President”, saying such efforts could be deployed to ventures that would be beneficial to society.

The NDPF stressed that contracts are not won through threats but by demonstrable capacity and track record to follow through the procedure spelt out in the contract terms.

The NDPF also urged those aggrieved by the decision to renew the contract to show patriotism by giving support to TSL which it said engaged about 18,000 youths in the Niger Delta region to prosecute the first phase of the oil pipeline contract.

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The group further recalled that the contract which has become subject of “needless controversy” was executed by people in the region for over 12 years with no protest.

The NDPF noted that the media campaign was targeted at Nigerian economy by “a hard fighting clique of silent billionaires who see Tantita and the NNPCL as enemies because of the recorded successes against oil theft.”

The group, therefore, enjoined those behind the alleged attacks to stop the “blackmail and embrace the prevailing mood of the nation that clearly says enough to oil theft.”

It added: “As people from the Niger Delta, we should join forces with Tantita to prosecute a successful campaign against our country and our environment rather than supporting the saboteurs of our economy over a port of porridge.

“To know when to withdraw is wisdom and now is the time to stop the needless campaign.

“We commend Mr President and the NNPC for the deliberate decision to strengthen the war against oil theft.”

The Star