Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Kestin Pondi, has credited improved security coordination and strong community collaboration for Nigeria’s rebound in crude oil production, revealing that output has risen from a low of 1.1 million barrels per day in 2022 to about 1.4 million barrels per day.
Speaking at a Joint Petroleum Parliamentary Roundtable at the National Assembly, Pondi told lawmakers and industry stakeholders that the turnaround followed Tantita’s engagement to secure critical oil infrastructure at a time production had sharply declined.
According to him, Nigeria’s oil output had dropped from about 1.8 million barrels per day in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2021, before hitting its lowest point in 2022. He said the recovery underscores the effectiveness of a coordinated security framework that actively involves host communities.
“At Tantita, we do not protect assets from the people; we protect them with the people,” Pondi said, stressing that engaging locals who understand the terrain has significantly improved surveillance and response.
He expressed appreciation to the Senate Joint Committees for convening the roundtable, describing it as a crucial platform to address persistent challenges in the oil and gas sector, while also acknowledging the Federal Government for entrusting the company with the responsibility at a critical time.
Despite the gains, Pondi warned that the progress has come at a cost, disclosing that personnel of Tantita, alongside members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies, have lost their lives in the line of duty.
“We have worked closely with the Army, Navy, Civil Defence, and Police. It has not been easy—we have recorded losses across the board,” he said.
The Tantita boss, however, maintained that Nigeria can achieve even higher production levels if investments are increased and operational bottlenecks are addressed, aligning with the Federal Government’s production targets.
He also revealed that the company has ramped up investment in technology and human capital, while decentralising operations to deepen community ownership and participation.
Pondi cautioned against fragmenting the current security framework, warning that disjointed approaches could reverse the gains recorded.
“There is no way we could have succeeded without the communities. Any attempt to break this structure will set us back,” he said.
The roundtable brought together lawmakers, industry operators, and security stakeholders to explore strategies for boosting oil production and protecting critical national assets, with Tantita providing detailed insights into its operations and sustainability roadmap.
