The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders has joined other youth organisations, civil society groups and community leaders in Bayelsa State to commend Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for its contribution to curbing street menace, reducing violence and promoting relative peace across the state.

The coalition spokesman, Odede Charles Precious, alongside the Ijaw Women Deserve Better Initiative, Grassroots Movement Connect (GMC) and youth leader, Gen. Okiemo Stephen, gave the commendation in separate interviews with our correspondent at the weekend while assessing Tantita’s impact on anti-social vices and identifying areas where the company could further strengthen its interventions in Bayelsa.

The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders said Tantita had significantly contributed to reducing criminality by providing legitimate means of livelihood to thousands of youths who were previously involved in oil theft, illegal bunkering, cultism and other unlawful activities.

The coalition recalled that before Tantita’s engagement, many parts of Bayelsa were confronted with oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal refining, cult clashes and other violent crimes, which claimed lives and created fear among residents, particularly in the state capital.

According to the group, the employment of youths in pipeline surveillance has helped reduce street violence, criminal activities and insecurity while promoting relative peace and stability across the state.

Also speaking, Coordinator of the Ijaw Women Deserves Better Initiative, Miss Bomiegha Rachael Lagos, described Tantita’s intervention as a “game changer,” saying it had restored hope to many families by engaging youths who might otherwise have been vulnerable to criminal activities.

She said many young people previously had little or no means of livelihood and were easily drawn into illegal bunkering, cultism and related crimes.

Lagos, however, noted that the situation had improved considerably, with many of the youths now productively engaged, resulting in a noticeable decline in anti-social activities and improved security across Bayelsa.

Similarly, the Zonal Head and Leader of Camp Seven, Gen. Okiemo Stephen, said the emergence of Tantita had helped to fill a critical gap left by the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which did not accommodate all former restive youths.

According to him, while thousands of former agitators benefited from the amnesty programme, many others who were left out resorted to illegal bunkering, kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities as means of survival.

He said Tantita’s decision to engage many of the affected youths had drastically reduced insecurity and brought relief not only to communities but also to the Bayelsa State Government in its efforts to maintain law and order.

The Grassroots Movement Connect (GMC), led by Hon. Afen Enason Patrick, also said its assessment of communities across the state showed remarkable improvements since Tantita commenced operations.

The organisation said incidents of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal artisanal refining had reduced significantly, while environmental pollution associated with soot had also declined.

According to GMC, engaging youths from host communities in pipeline surveillance had taken many young people away from piracy, sea robbery, cultism and illegal bunkering, thereby contributing to safer waterways and a more peaceful environment for residents.

While commending Tantita’s achievements, the Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders urged the company to expand its empowerment initiatives beyond pipeline surveillance by introducing more skills acquisition programmes, technical training, entrepreneurship support and educational opportunities for unemployed youths and women across the Niger Delta.

Lagos also appealed to Tantita to prioritise women’s empowerment through vocational training, entrepreneurship development and capacity-building programmes.

She particularly called for initiatives targeting single mothers, female undergraduates and other vulnerable women, stressing that such interventions would improve livelihoods, reduce unemployment and strengthen community development.

Gen. Okiemo Stephen advised the company to strengthen internal engagement within its operational structure by maintaining regular interaction between management and field personnel.

He said obtaining direct feedback from surveillance teams would enable the company to formulate more effective policies and improve operational efficiency.

On its part, GMC recommended that Tantita deepen youth empowerment through scholarships, technical education and alternative livelihood programmes for surveillance personnel and former illegal bunkerers.

The organisation also called for stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, youth leaders and community development committees, increased public enlightenment on the dangers of oil theft, and greater support for environmental remediation and access to clean water in affected communities.

Despite their recommendations, the groups were unanimous in their assessment that Tantita Security Services had made a significant contribution to reducing street menace, violence and other anti-social activities in Bayelsa State.

They said the company’s interventions had helped lay a foundation for lasting peace, improved security and sustainable development in Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta region.

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