Don’t Decentralise Pipeline Surveillance, Oromoni Tells Tinubu

A Niger Delta youth leader, Hon. (Barr.) Jeffrey Pere Oromoni, has urged President Bola Tinubu not to decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts in the region, warning that such a move could reverse recent gains in the fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

In an open letter addressed to the president, Oromoni expressed “deep concern” over what he described as ongoing campaigns and propaganda by certain interests pushing for the decentralisation of pipeline surveillance operations in the Niger Delta.

He alleged that the calls were not driven by public interest or any objective assessment of the performance of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Maton Engineering Limited, but were instead orchestrated by oil thieves and illegal bunkerers working in collaboration with political actors with vested interests.

According to him, the ultimate aim of these actors is to reopen the Niger Delta to widespread illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and the destruction of critical oil infrastructure — activities he said previously dealt a severe blow to Nigeria’s economy.

Oromoni warned that such criminal activities deprive the nation of billions of naira in revenue, pollute the environment, harm host communities and undermine national security.

“It is widely known in the Niger Delta that these calls are being influenced and championed by individuals who previously benefited from illegal oil theft and bunkering activities in the region,” he said.

Recalling past experiences, the youth leader noted that Nigeria had previously experimented with a decentralised pipeline surveillance system involving multiple community contractors, including some of the same groups now advocating for a return to that model.

He said the approach resulted in poor coordination, weak oversight and increased opportunities for criminal activities, leading to a surge in oil theft and pipeline vandalism across the Niger Delta.

“The consequences were severe. Nigeria’s oil production declined significantly, government revenue dropped, and the environment suffered extensive degradation,” Oromoni stated.

He, however, noted that a turnaround began with the engagement of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, led by High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), alongside High Chief Kestin Pondi, saying their involvement had significantly reduced oil theft and restored stability in the region.

Oromoni added that their grassroots credibility and operational effectiveness had also helped to rebuild investor confidence and foster cooperation among stakeholders in the Niger Delta.

He cautioned that decentralising the surveillance contracts at this time would undermine these gains and embolden criminal elements seeking to resume illegal activities.

“The government must remain vigilant and resist any attempts to destabilise the region under the guise of decentralisation of pipeline surveillance contracts,” he said.

The Niger Delta leader therefore called on President Tinubu to reject what he described as “campaigns of calumny” and instead renew the contracts of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Maton Engineering Limited.

He said renewing the contracts would help preserve the progress made in securing oil infrastructure, sustain peace in the Niger Delta and protect Nigeria’s economic future.

Oromoni also copied the open letter to the National Security Adviser, the Minister of State for Petroleum, and the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)