A coalition of stakeholders from the Niger Delta has urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider and terminate a high-value pipeline surveillance contract, raising concerns about transparency and possible conflict of interest.
The group, known as Concerned Niger Delta Patriots for Transparency and Resource Justice (CNDPTRJ), made its position public in a statement released on Sunday. Signed by Comrade Maxwell Efe, the statement reflects the views of a broad mix of community leaders, youth representatives, and environmental advocates from oil-producing areas across the region.
At the center of the controversy is the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. The company is owned by Government Ekpemupolo, a former militant leader better known as Tompolo. The contract itself is designed to address oil theft, illegal bunkering, and declining production levels—persistent issues that have long affected Nigeria’s oil sector.
However, the coalition argues that the arrangement raises serious ethical concerns. Specifically, it pointed to allegations suggesting that Ekpemupolo may have interests in oil assets, a situation it believes could undermine the neutrality required for effective oversight.
“At the heart of this scandal is the disturbing fact that the very man entrusted with protecting Nigeria’s oil pipelines and facilities is himself allegedly linked to ownership of an oil well,” the statement said.
According to the group, such a dual role creates the risk that surveillance activities could be influenced by personal or business considerations rather than national interest. It warned that this could weaken efforts to combat oil theft and other related crimes.
Beyond the issue of conflict of interest, the coalition also criticized the structure of the contract itself. It argued that assigning such a significant responsibility to a single entity concentrates both power and financial resources in one place, effectively creating a monopoly. This, it said, sidelines other capable stakeholders within the region who could contribute to a more balanced and inclusive system.
The group further noted that despite the large sums reportedly spent on pipeline protection, the core problems—oil theft, illegal bunkering, and vandalism—have not been fully addressed. Meanwhile, communities in the Niger Delta continue to grapple with environmental damage and limited involvement in decision-making processes that affect them directly.
In light of these concerns, CNDPTRJ called on President Tinubu to take immediate action. It urged him to either terminate the current contract or allow it to lapse without renewal. Additionally, the coalition recommended a comprehensive forensic audit to examine how funds have been used and to assess the effectiveness of the surveillance efforts so far.
The group also proposed a broader, long-term solution: the convening of a Niger Delta Security Summit. Such a forum, it suggested, would bring together diverse ethnic groups, local stakeholders, and experts to design a more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable framework for securing oil infrastructure.
“The eyes of the region and the entire nation are on you, Mr. President.
“History will judge whether you stood on the side of entrenched interests or chose the path of bold reform needed to secure our oil assets for the benefit of all Nigerians,” the statement added.