Friday 24 August 2012

NNPC AWARDS NIGER DELTA MILITANTS BILLIONS IN SECURITY CONTRACTS

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pays Niger Delta militants billions of Naira in security contracts according to senior officials of the apex oil body.

The revelation first published in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal reveals that the Niger Delta militants get between $3.5 million and $22.5 million for security contracts which include guarding NNPC pipelines to protecting the waterways from crude oil thieves.

The WSJ reported, “Last year, Nigeria’s state oil company began paying him $9 million a year, by Mr. Dokubo-Asari’s account, to pay his 4,000 former foot soldiers to protect the pipelines they once attacked. He shrugs off the unusual turn of events. “I don’t see anything wrong with it,” said the thickly built former 
gunman, lounging in a house gown at his home here in Nigeria’s capital.”
 General Ebikabowei “Boyloaf” Victor Ben and General Ateke Tom were said to collect $3.5 million a piece annually to protect the same popelines their men used to destroy in the past.

Whist General Government “Tompolo” Ekpumopolo (pictured above) earlier this year received a $22.9 million (N3.614billion) contract to secure the waterways from crude oil thieves and pirates.

The WSJ goes on to call these payments a luxury, although the Nigerian government has recorded remarkable improvement in oil production and earnings since the security contracts and amnetsy came into place.

The WSJ reported, “For President Goodluck Jonathan, a Niger Delta native, such lavish expenditures have become a political liability. Despite a growing economy, his country of 167 million struggles to finance even the basics, starting with power plants, roads and sewers. A blossoming middle class in Nigeria’s cities has put further strain on public infrastructure.

“This year alone, Nigeria will spend about $450 million on its amnesty programme, according to the government’s 2012 budget, more than what it spends to deliver basic education to children.”

Jonathan’s aide Oronto Douglas justified the payments saying the damage done to the treasury if militancy resumes would be far more damaging.

Managing Director of Shell, Mutiu Sunmonu:  “For you to address the whole issue of poverty and development, you need some kind of peace. That is what I think the amnesty programme has offered.”


1 comment:

  1. Asari, Tompolo, Ateke Tom are awarded contract by FG. My question is:
    1. Will the Boko Haram not be encourage to heat up d country wit d expectatn of such great rewards afta surrender?

    ReplyDelete

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