Niger Delta Stakeholders Call for Overhaul of Pipeline Surveillance Contracts

The Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF) has urged for the immediate dissolution of Nigeria's current framework for pipeline surveillance contracts, characterizing it as a flawed and ineffective system that lacks proper accountability.

In a statement released from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the forum highlighted that the existing arrangement has consistently failed to achieve its primary objectives. They propose replacing it with a transparent, decentralized, and accountable structure designed to effectively address issues of crude oil theft and secure critical national assets.

Alaye Theophilus, the group's Secretary-General, stated that this stance was adopted following a review of discussions at a recent parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security, which was convened by the National Assembly.

He noted that the engagement did not provide sufficient clarity on the efficacy of Nigeria's pipeline surveillance mechanisms. Instead, it reportedly exposed significant structural deficiencies and raised serious concerns regarding national security.

"The current surveillance contract framework is fundamentally flawed, non- performing, and must be dismantled and replaced with a transparent, decentralized, and accountable system," Theophilus declared.

The forum also criticized the parliamentary roundtable, labeling it a "stage- managed jamboree" intended to conceal failures and questionable dealings within the current system. They alleged that the process lacked transparency and excluded key stakeholders whose input would have been valuable.

The NDSF asserted that a genuine assessment of pipeline security would necessitate full disclosure of the operational mandates, performance benchmarks, and accountability frameworks for all contractors involved in the surveillance.