Niger Delta Leaders Demand Overhaul of Pipeline Surveillance Contract
Leaders representing former agitators from the Niger Delta region, in conjunction with the Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF), have issued an urgent appeal to the Federal Government to reconsider the current structure of the pipeline surveillance contract. The core of their demand centres on the contract being awarded to a single individual, which they argue is detrimental to the region’s stability and economic growth.
Speaking from the palace of King Ateke Michael Tom, Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, prominent figures such as General Shoot-at-Sight and General Boy Loaf articulated the collective sentiment. They strongly advocated for a decentralisation of the contract, proposing that it be distributed among qualified leaders from each of the nine states that constitute the Niger Delta. This approach, they contend, would foster greater fairness, inclusivity, and ultimately, more effective security for the nation’s critical oil infrastructure.
Concerns Over Centralisation and Political Influence
General Shoot-at-Sight directly addressed President Bola Tinubu, urging him to abandon any contemplation of delaying a review of the contract until after the 2027 general elections. He described such a postponement as a deceptive tactic that undermines the genuine efforts of those who have historically championed the region’s freedom. Shoot-at-Sight emphasised that numerous qualified leaders and established structures exist across the various states, capable of undertaking pipeline security responsibilities. He characterised the current arrangement of awarding the entire contract to one person as an affront to the sacrifices made by other agitators who fought for the region’s liberation.
“We were doing this job state by state under Jonathan,” Shoot-at-Sight recalled. “When the next president came, he made it political and cancelled it. We have been on this matter for years. Last year, we were given hope that the work would return to a state-by-state arrangement before the election, but till now, we have not seen anything.”
He further questioned the legitimacy of any purported agreement to delay the decentralisation, stating, “Who are the leaders that agreed to this? We were not part of such a meeting and are not aware of it. Since 2022, this job has been given to one person.”
Shoot-at-Sight highlighted a historical precedent where splitting the contract led to increased oil production. “When we carried out disarmament in 2009, Nigeria’s oil production increased when the contract was split. Since it was awarded to only one person, oil production has not improved.” He also pointed to a loss of employment opportunities for the region, noting that under the previous state-by-state arrangement, there were specific employment quotas for each state. Currently, he observed, most of the jobs appear to be concentrated in Abuja, suggesting a shift towards political patronage rather than the original intent of empowering local stakeholders. “Now, we see that the job is for politicians. That is not the original design.”
A Call for Goodwill and Equitable Distribution
General Boy Loaf echoed these sentiments, urging President Tinubu to embrace decentralisation as a means of securing the support of former agitators and stakeholders. He asserted that for the President to achieve his objectives, particularly in the lead-up to 2027, demonstrating goodwill is paramount. “If the President truly wants to achieve his goals in 2027, he must show goodwill, because one person cannot deliver. Nobody should deceive him,” Boy Loaf stated.
He continued, “What we are advising Mr President is to show goodwill to the people of the Niger Delta. This contract should be split. There is no way another person can control your territory. We are not a conquered people.” Boy Loaf stressed the importance of the President taking the “right thing” and lamented the current situation where politicians appear to wield more influence than those who have “paid the price” for the region’s stability.
NDSF Affirms Stakeholder Position and Calls for Immediate Action
Following the meeting, Theophilus Tari Alaye, Secretary General of the NDSF, addressed journalists. He clarified that the call for a review was fundamentally aimed at ensuring sustained peace and stability within the Niger Delta. Alaye unequivocally stated that stakeholders were unaware of any meeting with President Tinubu where a delay in decentralising the surveillance contract until after the elections was agreed upon. He dismissed reports suggesting such a resolution, asserting that the process of decentralisation should be implemented without delay to cultivate trust between stakeholders and the Federal Government.
“We have a group of faceless individuals who are spreading false information to the President for personal gain,” Alaye remarked. He underscored the NDSF’s position as the preeminent forum for the Niger Delta, stating, “This is the highest forum as far as the Niger Delta is concerned, and any engagement without us is void. This forum cuts across the entire region, especially ex-agitators, and has strong influence on security and stability.”
Alaye reiterated that the previous consensus among leaders was that the pipeline surveillance job was substantial and warranted decentralisation on a state-by-state basis. “These leaders had earlier met with Mr President and agreed that the pipeline surveillance job is large and should be decentralised on a state basis. That remains the position of stakeholders across the Niger Delta.” He firmly declared that any dissenting information circulating publicly does not represent the voice of the Niger Delta people.
The stakeholders present made it clear that the public narrative was “false and unacceptable.” Alaye recalled President Tinubu’s explanation that he inherited the situation, and that the contract’s expiry had necessitated a renewal, with the belief that stakeholders were duly informed.
“Giving the contract to one person is not in the interest of the Niger Delta,” Alaye insisted. He emphasised the need for an investment-friendly environment to create employment opportunities for the region’s youth and called for the immediate implementation of decentralisation.
To bolster national peace and increase oil production to approximately 2.5 million barrels per day, Alaye argued that the contract must be decentralised. He also highlighted the environmental damage caused by tampering with oil facilities, which the current structure might inadvertently facilitate. The NDSF expressed confidence that President Tinubu would heed the concerns of Niger Delta stakeholders and take the necessary steps.
