A coalition of Niger Delta groups on Wednesday staged a protest at the National Assembly, demanding the urgent decentralisation of pipeline surveillance contracts to stakeholders across oil-producing states in the region.
The groups, including the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities (CNDEN) and the United Niger Delta Congress (UNDC), among others, also submitted a petition to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The petition, jointly signed by the President-General of the coalition and President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dr Alaye Theophilus; President of the Ibom Youth Council, Mammoth Knight; and President of the Ogoni Federated Youth, Emmanuel Bieh, among others, called for a more inclusive framework in pipeline security operations.
Addressing journalists during the protest, Alaye described the Niger Delta as the economic backbone of Nigeria, noting that the region hosts the oil and gas resources that generate the bulk of the nation’s revenue.
He said the protection of pipeline infrastructure is not only a regional concern but also a critical national security priority.
Alaye clarified that the petition was not targeted at any specific company, including Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering, or Pipeline Infrastructure Limited, nor intended to discredit existing contractors.
“Rather, this petition is driven by the urgent need to correct a structural imbalance in the current pipeline surveillance framework, where responsibilities appear concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or entities, to the exclusion of wider Niger Delta stakeholders and ethnic nationalities,” he said.
He expressed concern that the current centralised structure excludes critical stakeholders and host communities, fostering unhealthy competition, division, and resentment among ethnic nationalities.
According to him, the situation weakens grassroots intelligence necessary for effective pipeline protection.
“More troubling is the emergence of a growing cold war among stakeholders and ex-agitators in the Niger Delta, largely driven by perceived exclusion and inequitable distribution of opportunities tied to pipeline surveillance.
“If not urgently addressed, this situation risks escalating into open conflict, which could result in widespread vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure and further destabilise the region,” he added.
Alaye recalled that during the peak of militancy in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s crude oil production averaged between 2.0 and 2.1 million barrels per day.
He, however, noted that despite relative peace and significant investment in pipeline surveillance, current production ranges between 1.5 and 1.7 million barrels per day, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the existing framework.
They wondered why oil production is declining despite increased spending on pipeline security? “Are there systemic lapses or undisclosed networks facilitating crude oil theft? Is the current surveillance structure truly effective or fundamentally flawed?” he queried.
The coalition maintained that the exclusion of local stakeholders from active participation is a major factor undermining pipeline protection efforts.
It therefore advocated full decentralisation of surveillance contracts, with each Niger Delta state assigned responsibility for securing pipelines within its territory.
“The present situation, if not urgently addressed, may degenerate into a crisis with far-reaching consequences for national security and economic survival,” the coalition warned.
It urged the National Assembly, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and relevant security agencies to act decisively in the interest of national unity, economic growth, and sustainable peace.
Also speaking, the National Secretary of the United Niger Delta Congress, Emaluji Michael Sunday, said the demand for decentralisation was a call for justice and fairness.
He cited provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which recognise host community participation in petroleum operations.
“We insist that pipeline surveillance contracts should be decentralised and spread across Niger Delta states as a common patrimony, rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few. This is the only way to ensure fairness, transparency, and equitable distribution of benefits,” he said.
Meanwhile, a stakeholder in the region, Fejiro Oliver, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to heed the calls for decentralisation of surveillance contracts.
He noted that the growing campaign, championed by ex-agitators and regional leaders, reflects widespread support for a more inclusive approach.
“The call for decentralisation is not to undermine any individual or group, but to ensure local participation, equitable opportunities, and engagement of key regional stakeholders,” he said.
