Decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts now — Niger Delta coalition tells senate, Akpabio
The Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities (CNDEN) has asked the senate to facilitate the full decentralisation of pipeline surveillance contracts across oil-producing states.
In a petition dated March 31, and addressed to Godswill Akpabio, senate president, the coalition said the current structure of pipeline surveillance is overly centralised and excludes stakeholders and host communities in the region.
Tantita Security Services, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) are among the companies involved in the pipeline surveillance framework.
CNDEN said its demand is not targeted at any specific contractor, but is aimed at correcting “structural imbalance” in the pipeline security contract.
“The current centralised framework excludes key stakeholders, fuels division among ethnic groups, and weakens grassroots intelligence needed for effective pipeline protection,” the petition reads.
The coalition warned that the situation has triggered a “growing cold war” among stakeholders and ex-agitators, which could escalate into open conflict if not urgently addressed.
The petition was signed by Alaye Theophilus, president of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC); Emmanuel Bieh, president of Ogoni Federated Youth; Akinfemi Omojuwa, president of Ilaje Youths Federation; Mammoth Knight, president of Ibom Youth Council; Gabriel Patterson, president of Obolo Patriotic Leaders Forum (OPLF); Usiwo Efezino, president of Isoko Leadership Youth Forum; Prince Omoko, chairman of Urhobo Youth Council; and Henry Assor, president of Ikwerre Youth Forum.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja after submitting the petition at the national assembly, Alaye said the Niger Delta, which produces the crude oil that sustains Nigeria’s economy, must not be excluded from the management and protection of the same resources.
“Rather, this petition is driven by the urgent need to correct a structural imbalance in the current pipeline surveillance framework, where responsibilities appear to be concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or entities, to the exclusion of the wider Niger Delta stakeholders and ethnic nationalities,” he said.
“More troubling is the emergence of a growing cold war among stakeholders and exagitators in the Niger Delta, largely driven by perceived exclusion and inequitable distribution of opportunities tied to pipeline surveillance.“If not urgently addressed, this situation poses a serious risk of escalating into open conflict, which could result in widespread vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure and further destabilise the region.”
Also speaking, Emaluji Sunday, national secretary of the United Niger Delta Congress (UNDC), said the demand for decentralisation of pipeline surveillance operations is not just a call for fairness, but a cry for justice.
“For too long, our people have suffered the consequences of oil exploration and production without reaping the benefits,” he said.
Sunday said the current arrangement, where pipeline security is entrusted to a few companies, violates section 257 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which states that host communities must be directly involved in protecting oil facilities located on their ancestral lands.
“We insist that the pipeline surveillance contracts should be decentralised and spread out to the states of the Niger Delta region, as our common patrimony, rather than being handed over to one family or individual. This is the only way to ensure fairness, transparency, and equitable distribution of benefits.”
Fejiro Oliver, UNDC’s convener, said decentralisation of all surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta will promote local participation, ensure equitable opportunities, and engage key regional stakeholders—not to undermine any particular operator.
— TheCable
