Why Tinubu should decentralise pipeline surveillance contract – Stakeholders

The Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to heed their counsel and decentralise the pipeline surveillance contract across different states and influences that make up the region.

They, however, sounded a note of warning that they were making their final efforts to save the economy of the country from agitations over exclusion of stakeholders from the pipeline surveillance contract.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, signed by Dr. Tari Theophilus, the stakeholders condemned what they referred to as actions of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Coordinator, Dr. Denis Burutu Otuaro, which allegedly threaten regional peace, national economic interests, and reforms needed in oil and gas infrastructure surveillance.

They regretted that their advocacy for full decentralisation of surveillance contracts across the Niger Delta was misrepresented by Otuaro and others as an ‘assault’ on Tantita Security.

The statement added: “The Forum stresses, unequivocally, that our call for the decentralisation of all surveillance contracts within the
Niger Delta region is to ensure local participation, equitable opportunities, and engagement of high-impact regional stakeholders, not to undermine any single operator.

“Reports indicate that some Phase 2 and Phase 3 leaders within the Amnesty Programme have been coerced and mobilised to participate in a protest tomorrow in support of Tantita Security and continued centralisation.

The Forum warns these leaders not to allow themselves to be used by those who have vowed to subjugate the entire Niger Delta region. We urge you to act with wisdom and understand that the reform we seek is full decentralisation of surveillance contracts that will be beneficial to you, your communities, and the region as a whole.

“We are aware that some of you have been threatened with the suspension of your stipends and allowances should you fail to align. We assure you that the Forum will stand by you if you face any form of victimisation for supporting a vision of a prosperous, inclusive Niger Delta and a stronger nation.

“The Presidential Amnesty Programme is not the property of any individual, group or kingdom, but a national institution serving the entire Niger Delta region.

“Otuaro’s actions in leveraging his office to protect narrow interests will no longer be tolerated. Misusing the office jeopardises the peace the programme was designed to maintain and risks destabilising the fragile equilibrium of the region.

“The Forum, therefore, demands that Dr. Otuaro immediately separate Tantita Security from the Amnesty Office or step aside for more competent management. Failure to act confirms obstruction of reform for personal or sectional gain, directly threatening regional stability and national economic interests.” (Guardian)