The Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities (CNDEN) has called on the Federal Government to decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts across the Niger Delta to ensure fairness, accountability and better protection of oil facilities.

The group also expressed support for the ongoing probe by the National Assembly into pipeline protection contracts and crude oil theft, urging lawmakers to carry out the investigation with transparency and courage.

In a statement, the coalition said people of the Niger Delta are not asking for the cancellation of the pipeline surveillance contracts, but want them shared among credible stakeholders across all oil-producing states in the region.

According to the group, allowing only a few individuals to control such important contracts has created anger and frustration among many ethnic nationalities whose communities host the oil pipelines.

The coalition said the Niger Delta remains the economic backbone of Nigeria because crude oil and gas from the region fund government activities across the country. It added that host communities who understand the terrain should play a key role in protecting pipelines.

CNDEN warned that excluding many stakeholders from pipeline protection activities could create serious tension in the region if not addressed through fairness and inclusion.

The group also raised concerns that despite billions of naira reportedly being spent on pipeline protection, Nigeria’s oil production has dropped to about 1.5 to 1.7 million barrels per day, compared to about 2 million barrels per day during the period of militancy in the region.

It said this situation raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the current pipeline protection arrangement and the possibility of continued crude oil theft.

The coalition therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the present structure and ensure that pipeline surveillance contracts are fairly distributed among stakeholders in each Niger Delta state to improve security, transparency and oil production.

The statement was signed by Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide; Oghenekaro Tony Edor, President of the Coalition of Isoko Youth Group; Emmanuel Goteh Bieh, President of the Ogoni Federated Youth; Lord Marmon Knight, President of the Ibom Youth Council; and Comrade Ibiso Harry, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zone.