By FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI— LEADERS of Phase II of the Federal Government Amnesty programme, yesterday, raised alarm over their non-inclusion in the ongoing award of pipeline surveillance contract by the Ministry of Petroleum.

Chairman of Delta State chapter of Phase II, ‘Gen’ Kingsley Muturu, in a telephone interview, noted that the pipeline surveillance job was part of the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the ex-militants before the amnesty was granted.

He expressed concern that the Ministry of Petroleum had earlier excluded Phase II in the award of the pipeline surveillance contracts last year before it was terminated a few months ago.

Also speaking on telephone, Chairman, Bayelsa State chapter ‘Gen’ Stephen Ebisinpin, said “right now, the Ministry of Petroleum and the Presidency are re-awarding the pipeline surveillance contracts to Phase I alone.

“We are also ex-militant leaders, so we are using this medium to call on the Presidency, Ministry of Petroleum and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku to include us in the pipeline surveillance contracts, so that there will be peace and security of the pipelines.

“We cannot sit down and watch people, who are not from our communities, take over the contract for the surveillance of pipelines in our areas. Phase II should be given its share of the contract in the principle of equity and fairness.”