Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Kestin Pondi, on Tuesday informed lawmakers and industry stakeholders that Nigeria’s steady rebound in crude oil production is largely driven by strengthened security coordination and the active involvement of host communities in safeguarding oil and gas facilities.
Speaking at the Joint Petroleum Parliamentary Roundtable at the National Assembly, Pondi commended the Senate Joint Committees for organizing the engagement, describing it as a vital forum for tackling pressing issues in the country’s oil and gas sector.
He recalled that when Tantita was contracted in 2022 to protect critical oil infrastructure, Nigeria’s crude output had dropped sharply to about 1.1 million barrels per day, including condensates. He noted that production has since improved to roughly 1.4 million barrels per day, attributing the recovery to deliberate collaboration and strategic engagement.
Pondi said the assignment came at a crucial period and expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity, noting that it provided a platform to demonstrate the company’s capabilities.
Explaining the company’s approach, he emphasized that lasting protection of oil assets depends on partnership with local communities. According to him, involving people from the creeks, who are familiar with the terrain, has significantly enhanced operational success.
He further pointed out that Nigeria’s oil production had declined from about 1.8 million barrels per day in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2021, before reaching its lowest level in 2022, adding that the recent improvement highlights the impact of an inclusive security framework.
However, Pondi acknowledged the sacrifices made in the course of operations, revealing that personnel from Tantita, as well as members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies, have lost their lives while protecting national assets.
Despite the gains, he maintained that Nigeria can achieve even higher production levels if more investments are made and existing operational challenges are addressed, aligning with the President’s production targets.
He also disclosed that the company has made significant investments in technology and workforce development, alongside decentralizing its operations to deepen community participation.
Pondi warned against fragmenting the current security structure, cautioning that a disjointed approach could undermine the progress recorded so far.
He stressed that the success achieved is largely due to the inclusion of all relevant host communities, adding that any attempt to divide the process would be counterproductive.
The roundtable brought together lawmakers, industry players, and security stakeholders to discuss ways of boosting oil output and protecting critical national infrastructure.
During the session, Tantita also presented detailed technical briefings on its field operations, the challenges encountered, and strategies for sustaining the current improvements in the sector.
