The House of Representatives has directed an immediate investigation into the persistent conflicts between the Nigerian Navy and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a private security firm engaged by NNPC Limited to protect oil pipelines in the Niger Delta. Hon. Donald Ojogo, Member of the House of Representatives for Ilaje/Ese-odo Federal Constituency, moved the motion during the session held on Thursday, 21st December, 2023.
Acknowledging the critical role of the Nigerian Navy as a statutory national security agency responsible for protecting Nigeria’s maritime integrity and territorial waters, Hon. Ojogo expressed concern about the conflicts between the Navy and private security firms. He highlighted the need to address and curtail these conflicts promptly to meet the country’s oil production benchmark, crucial for the 2024 budget estimates.
The investigative committee, led by Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman Upstream, comprises members from various committees related to oil theft, downstream, midstream, funding, gas resources, ports and harbours, Niger Delta, and the environment.
Hon. Ojogo emphasized the history of commendable exploits by the Nigerian Navy and its crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure. He revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), formerly NNPC, had outsourced aspects of securing oil and gas assets to private security firms with expertise in the Niger Delta.
The move aimed to protect national assets, combat oil theft, enhance productivity, and increase revenue. However, conflicts and altercations between the Navy and private security firms, including a recent exchange of gunfire in Ondo State, threaten the efficiency and collaboration necessary for achieving higher oil production.
The House expressed concern about the negative impact of continued conflicts on the economy, especially in achieving the oil output projections for the 2024 Fiscal Year. The investigation will delve into the root causes of the conflicts and recommend measures to ensure a harmonious collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and private security firms for the protection of oil and gas assets.
He expressed concern that “just last week, there was a reported case of exchange of gunfire between men of the Nigerian Navy and operatives of a private security outfit on the coastal waters of Ondo State and parties involved adduced or advanced reasons for their actions and inactions with accusations and counter accusations. “If this trend continues, an unachievable oil output projection looms ahead of the 2024 Fiscal Year and that the implications of such development on the economy will be negative”.
