Precious Anga
Lagos — Leaders from across the Niger Delta have warned President Bola Tinubu against allowing pipeline surveillance operations remain concentrated in the hands of a single company, saying the arrangement could trigger another oil production crisis in the region.
The warning was issued after a meeting of the Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum and Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities in Port Harcourt, where community leaders, youth groups and ethnic representatives demanded the decentralisation of pipeline protection contracts across oil-producing states.
The forum argued that Nigeria previously achieved crude oil production of about 2.5 million barrels per day under a decentralised surveillance structure during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
According to the group, the dismantling of that arrangement under former President Muhammadu Buhari contributed to the rise of the Niger Delta Avengers, whose attacks slashed Nigeria’s crude production to about 900,000 barrels daily and weakened the economy.
Ijaw Youth Council President, Dr Alaye Tari Theophilus, said the region was beginning to witness signs similar to those seen before the 2016 militant crisis.
“We know the signs because we lived through them. The President must act now before the situation spirals out of control,” he said.
The forum also called for an investigation into the Presidential Amnesty Programme, alleging that the scheme was being used to intimidate stakeholders pushing for reforms in pipeline surveillance operations.
The leaders questioned the management of funds under the programme, noting that beneficiaries still receive N65,000 monthly despite worsening economic conditions, even as the programme’s budget has reportedly risen beyond N100bn.
They urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to probe spending under the current amnesty leadership.
The forum further demanded the creation of a joint supervisory structure involving security agencies, state coordinators and community leaders to oversee surveillance operations and ensure accountability.
It also called for the recognition of regional leaders who helped contain militant activities during the Niger Delta Avengers crisis, including Bibopere Ajube, Ateke Tom, Dokubo Asari and Victor Ben Ebikabowei.
The group warned that failure to address its demands could destabilise not only the Niger Delta but Nigeria’s wider economy.
