Decentralise Pipeline Surveillance Contract for Equity, Inclusiveness, Niger Delta Group Tells Tinubu
The Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF), yesterday, rose from an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to heed their counsel and decentralise the pipeline contracts across different states and influences that make up the region.
They however sounded a note of warning that they were on their final efforts to save the economy of the country from agitations over exclusion of stakeholders from the pipeline contracts as the present situation was threatening to erupt in protests and into wards actions.
The stakeholders in a statement signed by Dr. Tari Theophilus condemned what they referred to as actions of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Coordinator, Dr. Denis Burutu Otuaro, which they regretted threatens regional peace, national economic interests, and urgent reforms in pipeline/oil and gas infrastructure surveillance.
They regretted that their advocating for full decentralisation of surveillance contracts across the Niger Delta, was misrepresented by Dr. Otuaro and his affiliates as an “assault” on Tantita Security.
“The forum stresses, unequivocally, that our call is for the decentralisation of all surveillance contracts within the Niger Delta region to ensure local participation, equitable opportunities, and engagement of high-impact regional stakeholders, not to undermine any single operator.
“Reports indicate that some Phase 2 and Phase 3 leaders within the Amnesty Programme have been coerced and mobilised to participate in a protest tomorrow in support of Tantita Security and continued centralisation. The forum warns these leaders not to allow themselves to be used by those who have vowed to subjugate the entire Niger Delta region. We urge you to act with wisdom and understand that the reforms we seek is full decentralisation of surveillance contracts that will be beneficial to you, your communities, and the region as a whole.
“We are aware that some of you have been threatened with the suspension of your stipends and allowances should you fail to align. We assure you that the forum will stand by you if you face any form of victimisation for supporting a vision of a prosperous, inclusive Niger Delta and a stronger nation.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme is not the property of any individual, group, or kingdom, but a national institution serving the entire Niger Delta region.
“Dr. Otuaro’s actions in leveraging his office to protect narrow interests will no longer be tolerated. Misusing the office jeopardises the peace the programme was designed to maintain and risks destabilising the fragile equilibrium of the region.
“The forum therefore demands that Dr. Otuaro immediately separate Tantita Security from the Amnesty Office, or step aside for more competent management. Failure to act confirms obstruction of reform for personal or sectional gain, directly threatening regional stability and national economic interests.”
The forum restated its calls on President Tinubu to intervene to halt the misuse of the Presidential Amnesty Office by Dr Otuaro, to pursue and protect narrow interests at the expense of national and regional interests that threaten trust, peace, and effective governance.
“His conduct undermines critical reforms aimed at decentralising pipeline/oil and gas infrastructure surveillance for the benefit of all Niger Delta communities.
“We further urge Your Excellency to caution Dr. Denis Otuaro against bullying or threatening Phase 2 and Phase 3 leaders to participate in protests defending centralised operations. The Amnesty Office was never established for such actions, and coercing its beneficiaries to serve narrow interests undermines the purpose of the office and the welfare of the region. These leaders must not be coerced into obstructing reforms that are designed for the long-term benefit of their communities and the entire Niger Delta,” they insisted.
According to them, “The Niger Delta will no longer tolerate narrow interests compromising national wealth and regional stability. Full decentralisation of all surveillance contracts is non-negotiable, urgent, and essential.”
