By Emmanuel Olugua
A coalition of concerned youth bodies in Rivers State has renewed its call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta, warning that the current arrangement threatens equity, security, and long-term stability.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Charles Malford said the appeal was aimed at encouraging “further decisive steps towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region by decentralising the surveillance contracts.”
The group, while acknowledging the President’s developmental strides in the Niger Delta, stressed that the concentration of surveillance responsibilities in one company was fundamentally flawed.
“Concentration of contracts in the hands of a single company is neither equitable nor sustainable. Local communities should be involved directly in securing infrastructure to promote ownership and accountability,” the coalition stated.
It argued that meaningful engagement of youths in pipeline security would address wider social challenges in the region.
“Engaging local youths meaningfully in pipeline security will reduce tendencies towards crime, drug abuse, and other social challenges,” the statement added, noting that decentralisation would “promote better grassroots participation” and strengthen infrastructure protection by leveraging local knowledge.
The coalition also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to “clarify and unbundle the existing contracts related to pipeline and wellhead surveillance to ensure clear roles and responsibilities.”
Describing its demand as urgent, the group said: “This call for decentralisation is timely, fair, and necessary for fostering inclusiveness, better security, and strengthened regional cooperation.”
National President of the Rivers Youths Federation, Patrick Saviour, reinforced the position, saying it was unjust to sideline locals in favour of external contractors.
“It will be unfair to bring someone from elsewhere to monitor or do a project which people in the locality have the capacity to handle,” he said. “It should not be a situation whereby one person will have a contract and make such a contract look like a family business.”
Saviour warned that awarding such contracts to a single entity could backfire.
“When such a contract is given to one person, sabotage can easily come in. Let us continue to maintain our peace… we want peace in this region,” he added, expressing confidence that the President would respond to their concerns.
Also speaking, Rivers youth leader Benson Ati emphasised the benefits of localising surveillance operations.
“For instance, we are Rivers people and we should be able to secure the Federal Government’s assets in our communities better,” he said. “Looking into decentralising the pipeline surveillance contract, improving employment and security… is something that should be done now.”
The coalition reiterated its commitment to peace, development, and national progress, insisting that empowering local youths to secure critical infrastructure remains key to stability in the Niger Delta.