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The first chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Ahmed Tijani Ramalan, has said the body pays N1.2 billion to ex-militant Goverment ‘Tompolo’ Ekpemupolo, for the protection of its maritime areas saying nevertheless, that over 400,000 barrels of crude oil are still being stolen every day.
The former NIMASA boss therefore called for the government to end its contract with the ex-militant.
According to Ramalan, “Over 400, 000 barrels of crude oil are being stolen daily from our shores under President Jonathan; yet we had a government that has the Navy, the Army and the Air Force, and the government of Jonathan decides to hand over the security of our maritime waters to Tompolo at a very exorbitant amount of money”.
Leadership quotes him further: “And these same people that are given the job of our maritime security are the ones that are collaborating with the international shipping companies to steal our oil.”
He added that one of the ways to help the country’s economy to bounce back is to revoke Tompolo’s contract.
“And if Buhari does not do so, we will be the first to start attacking him. There is no basis to give that kind of billion naira job to ex-militants,” he declared.