A civil society organisations under the aegis of the National Coalition of Civil Society Groups have called on President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop the award of pipeline surveillance contracts to individuals and groups with questionable characters.
Expressing its concern about the implication of handing over pipeline surveillance to the private sector, while briefing the press in Maryland, Lagos yesterday, the spokesperson of the coalition, Mr Taiwo Adeleye, noted that, entrusting pipeline security to those with a militancy background undermines the nation’s sovereignty and international reputation, particularly within OPEC.
The coalition disclosed that it supports oil pipelines being awarded to non-state actors but such actors should not be suspected gun runners.
Adeleye implored President Tinubu to quickly intervene in the matter by directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop the award of surveillance contracts to companies led by individuals who have links with militancy.
He held that continuing with the practice by the Federal Government would result to the government yielding to the demands of militants, rather than upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of Nigerian citizens.
“This capitulation threatens to erode public confidence and the authority of the state.
“Arms proliferation in Nigeria is a threat to regional stability. The armed group taking the role of pipeline surveillance contractors is a time bomb. It will push Nigeria to the brink with the passage of time. What we see today undermines International laws and conventions of the United Nations UN”, Adeleye said.
The coalition further explained that the handing over of pipelines to armed groups will further undermine the international conventions which include but are not limited to the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear weapons.
Adeleye added that one of the major problems of saddling those with militancy backgrounds with surveillance of the pipeline is the proliferation of arms and the fact that many non-state actors are still in possession of illicit weapons.
“The shocking attack in Okuoma village, resulting in the tragic loss of 17 soldiers, served as a stark reminder of the consequences of arming those with history of violence, one of which is the proliferation of arms and the fact that many non-state actors are still in possession of illicit weapons. It means the killing of soldiers and civilians in the oil-producing areas may continue.” He said.