A coalition of concerned youth bodies in Rivers State has urged the federal government to decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta region, arguing that the current concentration of contracts in the hands of a single company is neither equitable nor sustainable. In a statement signed by Mr Charles Malford in Port Harcourt, the coalition called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive steps toward achieving lasting peace and stability by restructuring the current security arrangement.
The group commended Tinubu for ongoing developmental efforts in the region and his commitment to improving the welfare of oil producing communities. However, it stressed that decentralising pipeline surveillance contracts is crucial for job creation, particularly for youths who make up a large portion of the population. “Concentration of contracts in the hands of a single company is neither equitable nor sustainable. Local communities should be directly involved in securing infrastructure to promote ownership and accountability,” the statement said.
From an economic perspective, the call for decentralisation addresses both security and employment concerns. The Niger Delta has historically experienced conflict over oil revenues, environmental degradation, and exclusion of local communities from economic opportunities. Pipeline surveillance contracts, which can be lucrative, represent a mechanism for channelling resources to communities and creating employment. When these contracts are concentrated in the hands of outsiders or a single entity, local youths who might otherwise be gainfully employed may become restive or vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups.
The coalition added that engaging local youths would reduce crime, drug abuse, and other social challenges, while also improving the protection of critical infrastructure through grassroots participation. It also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to unbundle existing pipeline and wellhead surveillance contracts to ensure clarity in roles and responsibilities. This recommendation speaks to the complexity of current arrangements, where overlapping responsibilities and unclear accountability can lead to gaps in security coverage.
The National President of the Rivers Youths Federation, Patrick Saviour, said it was unfair to award such contracts to outsiders when locals have the capacity to handle them. Similarly, youth leader Benson Ati emphasised that localising the contracts would enhance effectiveness and national security. These arguments rest on the premise that community members have better knowledge of local terrain, social networks, and potential threats. A local youth who notices strangers in the community may be more likely to report them than an outsider who does not speak the local language or understand community dynamics.
The call for decentralisation also has political dimensions. The Niger Delta has produced several national leaders, and successive administrations have made promises about addressing the region’s marginalisation. Decentralising pipeline surveillance contracts would be a tangible step that demonstrates commitment to local empowerment. It would also spread economic benefits more widely, potentially reducing tensions between communities that feel excluded from oil wealth.
The federal government’s response to this call will be closely watched in the Niger Delta. If it embraces decentralisation, it could build goodwill and support for its broader agenda. If it resists, it may fuel perceptions that the region’s resources are being managed for the benefit of outsiders. The NNPCL, as the entity that awards these contracts, holds significant influence over the outcome.
