The Niger Delta Watchdog (NDW) has called on the Federal Government to disregard agitation by some individuals to decentralize the protection of the nation’s petroleum pipelines.

The group made the call in a statement jointly signed and issued on Monday by the group’s Central Coordinator, Johnny Obakpororo.

Other signatories to the statement were: High Chief Idowu Asonja, Coordinator (Ondo State), Comr. Douye Isoun (Bayelsa State), Comr John Etefia, (Cross Rivers State), Comr Bakpa Orerhime, (Delta state), Comr. Uyoata (Akwa Ibom State) andComr. Ellington Bakumor –  (Central PRO).

The group noted that though decentralization was often perceived as a means of promoting inclusivity and local participation, in this specific context, it poses threat to peace, security, and economic stability in the oil-rich region.

They observed that pipeline infrastructure in the Niger Delta was pivotal to Nigeria’s economy, stressing that any disruption to the assets would have immediate and far-reaching consequences on oil production and by implications on the nation’s revenue base.

They said that decentralization would lead to increased conflict, fragmentation of authority, and heightened threats to critical national infrastructure.

The group therefore urged the government to focus on the centralized model currently being implemented by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) under the leadership of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka (Tompolo).

The group statement noted that Tompolo’s surveillance firm had demonstrated measurable success in stabilizing the region, reducing conflict and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic lifelines.

The group emphasized that Tantita had been able to stabilize crude oil production through the current centralized security framework.

It highlighted some of the areas Tantita’s had done creditably to include: conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

According to the group, “Tantita has:facilitated dialogue between previously conflicting communities, bringing together traditional and community leaders.

“Reduced tensions over land and resource control. Communities that were once in conflict have become significantly more peaceful under this structured engagement.

“Tantita has managed competing interests within communities, prevented escalation of inter-family and leadership conflicts, and maintained a unified approach to pipeline protection.

“Tantita’s coordinated approach has reduced pipeline vandalism, improved surveillance and response mechanisms and ensured consistent protection of oil and gas assets.

“Tantita has supported uninterrupted economic activity, enabled communities to benefit from stability, and strengthened Nigeria’s overall economic outlook.

“Thus, Tantita has not only ensured security, but also economic sustainability for both the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large”.

The group maintained that the Niger Delta region remained the backbone of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

It said that the region makes a significant contribution to the nation’s economic sustainability.

The group therefore advised that the framework through which pipeline security was managed must prioritize stability, coordination, and conflict prevention.

Reviewing the consequences of pipeline surveillance decentralization, the Niger Delta Watchdog said that any policy shift particularly toward decentralization must be carefully evaluated in light of the region’s socio-political realities

They emphasized that decentralization may consequently lead to  loss of government revenue, reduction in oil production capacity, increased operational costs and damage to Nigeria’s international economic reputation.

“Beyond that, decentralization will also include escalation of inter-community land disputes, intensification of internal community conflicts.

“Decentralizing pipeline security will likely intensify existing disputes between neighbouring communities. Historically, many communities in the Niger Delta have been involved in conflicts over land ownership and territorial boundaries as well as control of natural resources 

“In a decentralized system, assigning security responsibilities to multiple local entities may reinforce competing claims, legitimize disputes and trigger renewed hostilities 

“Within individual communities, decentralization is likely to produce multiple competing powers. It may lead to emergence of leadership cartels,” they said.

The group, however, recommended that the federal government should maintain the Current Centralized Security Framework, continue to support and strengthen the existing structure under Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited as well as avoid Fragmentation of Security Responsibilities.

They also advised the government to carefully scrutinize and ultimately disregard calls for the decentralization of pipeline security contracts, noting that available evidence suggest that such calls may not be driven by the broader national interest, but rather by narrow, self-serving agendas that could reignite conflict within the region.

“If implemented, decentralization could reverse the progress already achieved leading to a resurgence of illegal activities such as pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft (bunkering), increased community conflicts, and widespread instability,” they said.

The group, however, said that the cumulative effect of those outcomes would be a serious threat to national security and a potential economic downturn for the country.