Niger Delta Youths Urge Federal Government to Hand Over Pipeline Security to Local Communities for Regional Calm

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By Dapo Akinrefon

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A Coalition of Concerned Youth Bodies in Rivers State has urged President Bola Tinubu to decentralise pipeline security contracts in the Niger Delta region.

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Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Mr Charles Malford urged the President to take further decisive steps towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region by decentralising the surveillance contracts.

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The coalition, in a statement, commended Tinubu for his ongoing developmental efforts in the region, noting the President’s commitment to improving the welfare of the oil-producing communities.

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The youth bodies emphasised that decentralising pipeline security contracts is essential for creating job opportunities for youths, who make up the majority of the region’s population.

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The reads: “Concentration of contracts in the hands of a single company is neither equitable nor sustainable. Local communities should be involved directly in securing infrastructure to promote ownership and accountability.

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“Engaging local youths meaningfully in pipeline security will reduce tendencies towards crime, drug abuse, and other social challenges.

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“Decentralisation promotes better grassroots participation and enhances the protection of critical infrastructure by involving community members intimately familiar with their local environments.”

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The coalition further urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to clarify and unbundle the existing contracts related to pipeline and wellhead surveillance to ensure clear roles and responsibilities.

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The coalition said: “This call for decentralisation is timely, fair, and necessary for fostering inclusiveness, better security, and strengthened regional cooperation.”

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The youth bodies, however, reiterated its commitment to peace, development, and progress in the Niger Delta and across Nigeria, saying “The coalition stands united in advocating for policies that empower youths and safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure.”

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Also speaking, National President, Rivers Youths Federation, Patrick Saviour, said it will be unfair to bring someone from elsewhere to monitor or do a project which people in the locality have the capacity to handle.

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Saviour said: “So I want to plead with Mr President to please look into it. It should not be a situation whereby one person will have a contract and make such contract to look like a family business. When such contract is given to a one person, sabotage can easily come it. Let us continue to maintain our peace and we know that Mr. President will hear our cry because he has a listening ear and as a father, he knows what is best and we want peace in this region,” he stressed.

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On his part, a Rivers Youth Leader, Benson Ati, said, it is better to localise the contract for effectiveness and better results.

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“For instance, we are Rivers people and we should be able to secure the Federal Government assets in our communities better. Therefore, looking into decentralizing the pipeline surveillance contract, improving employment and security for this same pipeline that serve the entire nation and bring the food that we all eat in this entire nation, is something that should be done now.”

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