Decentralise pipeline contracts, Niger Delta coalition tells Tinubu

…says failure to decentralise may lead to armed struggle

A group of Niger Delta leaders, under the aegis of Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities (CNDEN), has asked President Bola Tinubu to decentralise pipeline protection contracts across different communities instead of concentrating it in the hands of few persons.

They warned that not decentralising pipeline protection contracts along sphere of influence in the region will likely breed another armed struggle as the signs are already evident.

The group, in a statement by its officials, who represent diverse ethnic nationalities of the region, said that pipeline protection contracts should be given to major stakeholders across the region.

The statement, which was signed by Alaye Tari Theophilus, President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide; Oghenekaro Tony Edor, President, Coalition of Isoko Youth Group; Emmanuel Goteh Bieh, President, Ogoni Federated Youth; Lord Marmin Knight, President, Ibom Youth Council; Ibiso Harry, Chairman, ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zone, stressed the need for fair representation.

“The CNDEN wishes to draw President Bola Tinubu’s attention to the growing concerns surrounding the monopolisation of pipeline protection contracts in the Niger Delta by a narrow group of individuals.

“It is important to clarify that no Niger Delta person is calling for the revocation of the pipelines surveillance contract. Instead, all concerned Niger Deltans are advocating for decentralisation to ensure accountability, equal representation and fairness for all stakeholders in the region.

“The Niger Delta remains the economic backbone of Nigeria. The daily extraction of crude oil and gas from our lands and waters sustains the national economy and funds government operations across the federation. However, the region’s unique terrain and the recent armed struggle that disrupted oil and gas infrastructure and activities cannot be overlooked.

“All struggle leaders are naturally inclined to control their primary domain. Therefore, it is crucial that we consider these concerns to prevent another phase of armed struggle in the region. All indications suggest that this reality is imminent due to deep-rooted grievances exacerbated by the unprecedented greed of individuals who should have openly discussed this issue with their colleagues and in the spirit of brotherhood.

“Therefore, it will be counterproductive in the near future. It’s unacceptable that the protection of such critical national assets is concentrated in a few individuals while the majority of stakeholders and host communities bearing the environmental and social burden of oil exploration are sidelined,” they warned

The coalition contended that pipeline protection in the region must not be the exclusive preserve of a few individuals, noting that such an arrangement is unjust, politically insensitive and currently causing resentment among the various ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region.

“As representatives of the diverse ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta, we strongly demand that pipeline protection contracts be decentralised and fairly distributed among credible stakeholders within each Niger Delta state. Every oil-producing state in the region should have the opportunity to participate through recognised stakeholders, community structures and indigenous security networks who understand their terrain and have a direct stake in protecting national assets.

“By decentralising pipeline protection contracts and allowing stakeholders in each Niger Delta state to take responsibility for protecting pipelines within their territories, the federal government will fragment potential high-security risks and improve grassroots intelligence and surveillance, reduce crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism,
while strengthening peace and stability in the region.”

According to them, many respected elders and long-standing stakeholders across the Niger Delta are deeply unhappy with the current arrangement but keep calm due to their patriotism , statesmanship and the shared responsibility.

“But the reality is that the younger leaders and stakeholders are watching closely and the growing frustration over the perceived exclusion of the region’s ethnic nationalities could become a dangerous time bomb waiting to explode if not urgently addressed with fairness and inclusivity.

“The Coalition believes that the President may not have been fully briefed on the implications of concentrating such sensitive contracts in the hands of a few individuals while excluding the broader ethnic nationalities and host communities whose lands host the pipelines,” they contended.