Tompolo denies receiving N1bn monthly from NIMASA to protect Nigerian waterways

Ex-militant leader, Government Ekpomupolo, also known as ‘Tompolo’ has denied allegations made against
him by the pioneer chairman of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Alhaji Tijani Ramalan, that he was paid N1.5billion monthly for the protection of Nigeria’s waterways.
A statement by his media aide, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, described Ramalan as an attention seeker.
Tompolo said Ramalan made very wild, unsubstantiated allegations against his person, asking the accuser to provide proof to buttress his claim.
“Without any further stress, it is obvious that the said Ramalan is merely seeking an undue attention”, he said.
“I make bold to say that Ramalan who claims to be the pioneer chairman of NIMASA is not just economical with the truth but his outburst is an exhibition of ignorance and mischief which should be ignored by all”, he added.
The statement said “Ramalan’s contraption of any sum being paid to me is, therefore, rubbish, malicious, unsubstantiated and display of ignorance.
“I can only pity such a man whose intention is perhaps to rubbish my name and needlessly drag me into the fray of disputes at a time the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari is barely one week in office.”
Tompolo added that the intention of Ramalan was to generally misled and probably position himself for a comeback to NIMASA.
It was reported by Leadership yesterday that the former militant, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, receives the sum of N1.5bn monthly to protect Nigeria’s maritime areas, an official has said.
This was disclosed by the pioneer chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Ahmed Tijani Ramalan.
Ramalan also said that despite the large sum being paid to Tompolo by NIMASA, Nigeria still loses over 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
“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,” Ramalan said in an interview with Leadership.
“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.
Ramalan further advised President Muhammadu Buhari to revoke the contract in order to aid the recovery of Nigeria’s economy.

Photo of Bebeminibo, his media aide
Photo of Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, Commissioner representing the Ijaw nationality in DESOPADEC CUTTING A TAP IN ONE OF Tompolo’s event while Tompolo watches