Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Kestin Pondi, has attributed Nigeria’s recent recovery in crude oil production to improved security coordination and active participation of host communities.
Speaking at the Joint Petroleum Parliamentary Roundtable at the National Assembly, Pondi said the country’s oil output has risen from about 1.1 million barrels per day in 2022 to approximately 1.4 million barrels per day.
He linked the growth to strategic collaboration between security agencies, industry players, and local communities.
“We were given this responsibility at a very critical time, and we remain grateful to Mr. President for the opportunity. Without this platform, our capacity and what we can achieve would not have been fully appreciated,” Pondi said.
He stressed that sustainable protection of oil infrastructure requires inclusivity, noting that community engagement has been central to Tantita’s success.
“At Tantita, we do not protect assets from the people; we protect the assets with the people. Bringing in those from the creeks, who understand the terrain, has given us better results,” he stated.
Pondi recalled that Nigeria’s oil production had dropped from about 1.8 million barrels per day in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2021, before hitting a low in 2022, describing the recent rebound as proof of an effective and inclusive security model.
He, however, acknowledged the sacrifices made in the process, revealing that personnel from Tantita and security agencies have lost their lives while protecting national assets.
“We have worked closely with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Civil Defence Corps, Police, and other agencies. It has not been an easy journey. We have lost soldiers, we have lost our personnel, and we have lost civil defence officers,” he said.
Despite the gains, the Tantita boss maintained that Nigeria can achieve higher production levels with increased investment and improved operational strategies.
“We can still do better. There are still barriers, and we need to invest more to fully achieve the President’s agenda of increased production,” he added.
He also warned against fragmenting the current security framework, noting that a disjointed approach could reverse the progress recorded.
“There is no way we could have succeeded without involving every community that is a stakeholder in this operation. Fragmentation of the process will only push us backwards, and that is something we must avoid,” he cautioned.
The roundtable brought together lawmakers, industry operators, and security stakeholders to discuss strategies for boosting oil production and protecting critical national assets.
