Traditional rulers and community leaders in the Niger Delta have cautioned stakeholders against internal disputes over pipeline surveillance contracts, warning that infighting could undermine hard-won gains in oil and gas asset protection.

The caution followed the House of Representatives committee’s resolution dismissing petitions against Tantita Security Services Limited on pipeline surveillance contract.

The House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) at a roundtable on pipeline surveillance on Wednesday in Abuja said improved pipeline security has boosted oil output and reduced theft, underscoring the need for stakeholder cooperation.

Some leaders and youth groups in the Niger Delta had been advocating for decentralisation of pipeline surveillance, arguing that concentration of contracts in the hands of a single firm is neither equitable nor sustainable.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, the Niger Delta community leaders said stakeholders in the sub-region should be concerned about sustaining economic benefits rather than engaging in divisive struggles.

“There are many opportunities in the oil and gas sector. We should focus on how to derive more benefits rather than fighting over what has already been allocated,” said Christopher Akpotu, President-General of the Isoko Development Union (IDU).

Akpotu warned that persistent disputes among host communities risk opening the door for external actors to take over opportunities meant for locals.

“At the end of the day, if we continue fighting, we give room to those who have no stake in our communities to take what rightfully belongs to us,” he added.

While acknowledging concerns over uneven distribution of benefits, he stressed that the surveillance arrangement has delivered visible impact, particularly in youth employment and community stability.

He urged the company to deepen inclusiveness by engaging traditional institutions and local stakeholders.

President-General of the Ughelli Descendants Union, Sam Akpemegi, said pipeline security has improved significantly since the company’s engagement, attributing this to a mix of covert and overt strategies.

Traditional rulers, including the Odiologbo of Ofagbe Kingdom, HRM Engr. Ogaga Ikpoku, and the Ovie of Great Idjerhe Kingdom, King Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, also backed the National Assembly’s decision, describing it as crucial for peace and stability.

They cautioned against what they described as politically driven criticism, insisting that such actions could destabilise a system already delivering results.

Whiskey stressed the need for stakeholders to prioritise peace and environmental sustainability in the sub-region.

A surveillance worker, Felix Onoriode, said the initiative has reduced crime by creating jobs for youths, arguing that decentralising the contract would create confusion and weaken accountability.

Lawmakers, including Ikenga Ugochinyere and Senator Agom Jarigbe, maintained that no credible evidence was found against the firm, warning that disrupting the current framework could reverse progress. (Daily Trust News)