Pipeline Vandalism : Tompolo’s Firm ,Tantita Security Urges Niger Delta Communities to Explore Alternative Revenue Streams

The Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSS) has urged communities in the Niger Delta to diversify income sources away from crude oil pipelines to enhance their livelihoods without exacerbating environmental degradation in the region.

The Tompolo-owned security firm said this shift would also encourage local agriculture, fishing, and other sustainable practices that could flourish in a healthier ecosystem.

The Executive Director, Operations and Technical (TSS), Captain Warredi Enisuoh, disclosed this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, over the weekend , during the Pre-Summit Conference of the Pan-Ijaw Economic Summit 2024 organised by Azaiki Foundation in partnership with Ijaw National Congress, with the theme: ‘Environmental Regeneration and Economic Sustainability’.

Enisuoh said with the ongoing efforts to address pressing socio-economic challenges linked to security issues in the region’s communities, there was a need to broaden the discourse on sustainable development. He said the focus should be on promoting carbon capture, carbon credits, and the economic potential these concepts hold, particularly in a region abundant in natural resources.

He said the extraction of crude oil had led to significant environmental degradation, reduced life expectancy, and the deterioration of living conditions in these areas.

He said as communities dependent on these resources face security challenges, attention must be redirected towards sustainable and viable alternatives.

Enisuoh, therefore, advocated the adoption of carbon capture technology, which, while not yet well-known in the region, has immense potential, noting that the region’s environment is rich in flora, particularly mango trees, which play a crucial role in sequestering carbon dioxide (CO₂).

He said each mango tree could absorb approximately 80 kilogrammes of CO₂ annually, noting that by cultivating and preserving these trees, communities could create a significant income stream through carbon credits.

Enisuoh stated: “By diversifying income sources away from crude oil pipelines, communities can enhance their livelihoods without exacerbating environmental degradation.

“This shift will also encourage local agriculture, fishing, and other sustainable practices that can flourish in a healthier ecosystem.

“We are eager to collaborate with global carbon credit companies and stakeholders interested in green development initiatives.

“We want to develop industries that prioritize sustainability, minimizing further carbon emissions and global warming impact.

“We advocate for the enhancement of local infrastructure that supports carbon capture initiatives, which will simultaneously protect existing resources and ecosystems.”

The Tantita official spoke of the imperative need for engaging with governmental bodies to foster policies that support sustainable practices and infrastructure development tailored to carbon capture technology.

He further said: “Our message to the communities and government is to embrace the vast opportunities within carbon capture and sustainability.

“By investing in our environment, we can secure a healthier future, unlock new economic potential, and ensure that our communities thrive without compromising their ecological integrity.

“Together, let us turn our rich natural resources into a pathway towards socio-economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

“We look forward to further discussions and partnerships that can help us achieve these aspirations.”