Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
A group on the platform of Centre for Civic Public Awareness, has lauded High Chief Government Ekpemupolo Tompolo and his associates, particularly Dr. Dennis Otuaro, for curbing the menace of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
The commendation was contained in a statement signed by its coordinator, Dr. Theophilus Arebamen Okojie and its Publicity Secretary, Edosomwan Samuel Iroghama and made available to Journalists in Benin.
They said they are so happy that Tompolo, Dr. Otuaro, and their associates have teamed up with the civic public to strengthen the economy and protect the environment, adding that their courage in executing the oil pipeline contract deserves recognition.
The group however said that they are very disturbed that despite what the duo of Tompolo and Otuaro are doing for the region and the nation at large, some group of persons who never meant well for the country are going about spreading false information about them with the sole purpose of tarnishing their image.
“We have gathered here to draw the attention of the Nigerian and
international public to the unrelenting plots by enemies of the Nigerian state to defame and malign High Chief Government Ekpemupolo Tompolo and his associates, particularly Dr. Dennis Otuaro, for their unwavering stance
against oil theft and protection of national assets.
“It is evident from the activities of misguided elements on social media that they are intent on defaming patriotic citizens who are committed to restoring sanity in the Niger Delta.
“We have credible information that the “sins” of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo Tompolo, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, and others stem from their dedication to eliminating vandals and oil theft in the Niger Delta, thereby enriching the nation’s economy and protecting the environment.
“Their sole complaint is that, Tompolo and his associates have
rendered them jobless—jobs associated with oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and environmental degradation.
“We are disturbed by these economic saboteurs at home and their comrades abroad who left Nigeria because Tompolo
and his associates curtailed their illegal access to crude oil.
“These individuals wish for the Niger Delta to remain a hotspot for oil theft and violent crime”, the duo said in their statement.
The coordinator of the group and the secretary said the oil thieves whose vessels have been arrested are now determined to tarnish the reputations of Tompolo and Otuaro adding that as stakeholders in Niger Delta development, they will continue to expose those profiting from environmental degradation, endangering lives with diseases and untimely deaths while hindering national aspirations for increased crude oil production.
They called for vigilance against those attempting to defame Tompolo, Otuaro, and their associates due to their commitment to effectively executing their federal contract.
They also called on the relevant security agencies to arrest those who have bent on defaming Tompolo, Otuaro and their associates so that it will serve as a deterrent to others.