By Efe Onodjae 

The Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities (CNDEN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to decentralise pipeline protection contracts in the Niger Delta, warning that failure to do so could trigger fresh unrest in the oil-rich region.

The group urged the Federal Government to distribute pipeline surveillance contracts across communities and stakeholders within the region instead of concentrating them in the hands of a few individuals.

CNDEN warned that the current arrangement could breed resentment and potentially spark another phase of armed struggle capable of undermining Nigeria’s fragile economy.

In a statement jointly signed by Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide; Oghenekaro Tony Edor, President of the Coalition of Isoko Youth Group; Emmanuel Goteh Bieh, President of the Ogoni Federated Youth; Lord Marmin Knight, President of the Ibom Youth Council; and Comrade Ibiso Harry, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council Eastern Zone, the coalition stressed the need for inclusivity and fairness in the award of pipeline protection contracts.

The group clarified that Niger Delta stakeholders were not calling for the revocation of existing pipeline surveillance contracts but rather advocating for their decentralisation.

“The CNDEN wishes to draw President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s attention to the growing concerns surrounding the monopolisation of pipeline protection contracts in the Niger Delta by a narrow group of individuals,” the statement read.

“It is important to clarify that no Niger Delta person is calling for the revocation of the pipeline surveillance contract. Instead, all concerned Niger Deltans are advocating for decentralisation to ensure accountability, equal representation and fairness for all stakeholders in the region.”

According to the coalition, the Niger Delta remains the economic backbone of Nigeria, as crude oil and gas extracted from the region continue to sustain the national economy and government operations.

The group, however, noted that the terrain of the region and the history of militancy that previously disrupted oil and gas infrastructure must be carefully considered in managing pipeline security.

“All struggle leaders are naturally inclined to control their primary domain. Therefore, it is crucial that these concerns are considered to prevent another phase of armed struggle in the region,” the group said.

CNDEN argued that concentrating the protection of critical national assets in the hands of a few individuals was unjust, politically insensitive and capable of fuelling resentment among various ethnic nationalities in the region.

The coalition insisted that pipeline protection contracts should be decentralised and fairly distributed among credible stakeholders in each oil-producing state in the Niger Delta.

“Every oil-producing state in the region should have the opportunity to participate through recognised stakeholders, community structures and indigenous security networks who understand their terrain and have a direct stake in protecting national assets,”.

The coalition added that decentralising pipeline protection contracts would improve grassroots intelligence, reduce crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, strengthen peace and stability in the region, create employment opportunities for thousands of youths, and enhance transparency in pipeline protection operations.

CNDEN also revealed that many elders and stakeholders in the region were unhappy with the current arrangement but had refrained from publicly expressing their grievances in order to preserve peace.

However, it warned that younger leaders in the region were becoming increasingly frustrated over what they described as the exclusion of several ethnic nationalities from the contracts.

“There is obviously a palpable discontent brewing which, if not addressed quickly, could lead to something unexpected,” the group cautioned.

The coalition further claimed that the current lopsided arrangement was influenced by the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, in collaboration with a few individuals from the region.

“We believe it is important to clearly state that this situation is not the fault of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement added.

“From all indications, the current arrangement appears to have been influenced by the selfish decisions and narrow interests of the former GCEO of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, working with a few greedy individuals from the Niger Delta who have chosen personal enrichment over the collective interest of the region.”

The coalition said the President might not have been fully briefed on the implications of concentrating such sensitive contracts in the hands of a few individuals while excluding broader ethnic nationalities and host communities where the pipelines are located.