“Brazen Lies”: Group Accuses Keston Pondi of Misleading National Assembly
By Chief Mathias Efe Olowu
A civil society group has strongly criticised the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Limited, Mr. Keston Pondi, over statements made during his appearance before Nigeria’s National Assembly, describing them as “blatant falsehoods” capable of misleading the public.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Chief Mathias Efe Olowu, National Chairman of Odavwe R’Urhobob, alleged that Mr. Pondi’s claim that Nigeria’s crude oil production stood below one million barrels per day prior to the award of pipeline surveillance contracts in 2022 was inaccurate.
According to Olowu, available records indicate that the country’s production hovered around 1.6 million barrels per day before the contract was awarded, but declined to approximately 1.3 million barrels per day afterwards.
He argued that output remained largely stagnant between 1.3 and 1.4 million barrels per day over the past three years, despite significant financial commitments to the surveillance arrangement.
The group described the development as “deeply troubling,” raising concerns about the effectiveness of the contract and alleging that the situation amounted to economic losses for the nation.
Olowu further linked recent improvements in production figures, reportedly rising to about 1.8 million barrels per day, to sustained public scrutiny and advocacy by stakeholders, including activist Fejiro Oliver.
He contended that the increase raises questions about the performance of the surveillance framework since 2022.
He also expressed concern that the reported rise in output appears concentrated within Tantita’s operational areas, questioning how oil theft allegedly persisted under the company’s watch over the years. He called on the Federal Government to initiate an independent and transparent investigation into the matter.
The statement also criticised the ongoing legislative probe, describing it as an attempt to “whitewash failure and protect vested interests.” It drew parallels with past high-profile probes, including the bribery scandal involving former lawmaker Farouk Lawan and businessman Femi Otedola, which the group said eroded public trust.
Calling for accountability, Olowu urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate both Tantita Security Services Limited and members of the National Assembly committee handling the probe. He stressed that any individual found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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The group further demanded the immediate termination of Tantita’s contract and advocated for the decentralisation of pipeline surveillance operations across communities in the Niger Delta. It argued that host communities should be directly engaged and empowered to safeguard oil infrastructure in their respective areas.
“No single company should monopolise a critical national asset at the expense of the people,” the statement added, warning against what it described as a system that rewards failure and undermines national economic interests.
Chief Olowu maintained that Nigeria must prioritise transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation in the management of its oil resources.
Chief Mathias Efe is the National Chairman of Odavwe R’Urhobob and a Fellow of the International Institute of Journalism.
