The disagreement over the pipeline surveillance contracts is uncalled for, argues FRANK TIETIE
In his magnum opus, titled ‘Niger Delta Rivalry’, famend historian Obaro Ikime described the Niger Delta as a spot occupied by peoples and ethnicities who would hardly cooperate about something however would battle over nearly all the things.
Beyond the pure useful resource curse of exploitation, environmental degradation, and large-scale human and materials underdevelopment, the extraordinary rivalry among the many ethnic teams and peoples of the Niger Delta was the first driver of pointless tensions that hindered the area’s growth. From the Federal Government’s siting of a proposed Maritime University to the institution of an oil and gasoline industrial park for the area, or any main maritime growth, Niger Deltans, in a contest of ethnic supremacy, have been ready to go to conflict amongst themselves, pushed by an odd sense of entitlement in figuring out who amongst them ought to profit or not from such growth. Knowing this about them, their oppressors have learnt methods to maintain them preventing amongst themselves whereas the exploitation of their lands and other people continues.
Against this backdrop, the current claims by Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo towards the Olu of Warri, fitted into the sample of unhealthy rivalry among the many individuals of the Niger Delta. It is most counterproductive and towards the pursuits of peace and growth within the Niger Delta for an Ijaw chief to assault the revered monarch of the Itsekiri nation, Ogiame Atuwase III, the Olu of Warri. The Olu is the Chairman of the Board of Pipelines Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL), an organization with substantial Niger Delta possession working a pipeline surveillance contract with NNPCL, like Tantita Security Services Ltd, which is operated by the revered Ijaw chief, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo). Both firms have been hailed by the NNPCL and the Federal Government for serving to improve Nigeria’s crude oil manufacturing.
Nigeria considerably expanded its pipeline surveillance and safety preparations throughout a large oil-theft and pipeline-vandalism disaster in 2022. The manufacturing figures are onerous to disregard. From the disastrous lows of 2022, when crude manufacturing fell under a million barrels per day, Nigeria has recovered to manufacturing ranges approaching 1.8 million barrels per day. NEITI, NUPRC and NNPC information all present that indigenous community-based surveillance contractors akin to PINL achieved this for Nigeria. Therefore, no matter disagreements could exist over the allocation of the contracts and their prices, firstly, it have to be acknowledged {that a} safety association that has restored practically 100% pipeline safety, diminished disruption, and ensured a considerably larger manufacturing of crude oil for Nigeria ought to be counseled.
At a time when it was as soon as thought that the Nigerian authorities’s unofficial coverage was to exclude the Niger Delta individuals from substantial participation within the oil and gasoline trade, it was a welcome growth when the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 awarded pipeline surveillance contracts to indigenous firms operated by Niger Deltans. This got here after the businesses underwent rigorous, high-level scrutiny by the National Assembly and safety companies. Therefore, PINL was neither awarded the surveillance contracts on a sentimental foundation nor with a way of entitlement as a result of it’s operated largely by Niger Deltans. Though an indigenous firm, PINL handed the checks of effectivity and good company governance which have been established below its erstwhile Chairman, Hosa Wells Okunbo, which earned it an already present long-standing safety contract based mostly on its observe file. That was lengthy earlier than the present reign of Atuwase Ogiame III.
It is elementary that an organization’s chairmanship doesn’t essentially equate to possession, however it indicators the integrity and reputational stability for which revered conventional rulers within the first-class class are identified. While it’s appropriate that PINL operates a considerable a part of Nigeria’s pipeline-surveillance structure, principally protecting the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline and related infrastructure, NNPCL has not authoritatively disclosed the exact monetary worth and share allocation of the respective contracts, regardless of broadly circulated and sharply disputed figures.
Therefore, it’s pointless to stoke ethnic tensions in a area that has suffered a lot neglect and underdevelopment due to battle retailers. It is heartening that the period of mutual suspicion and baseless rivalry within the Niger Delta is fading away, and being changed by a progressive technology that wishes to advertise unity, peace, and speedy growth of the area and its individuals.
PINL’s coverage and observe of cutting down its surveillance operations by partaking youths from oil and gasoline host communities in gainful employment to offer safety and ancillary providers has led to a brand new wave of progress and improved residing requirements for a lot of households within the Niger Delta. Data have proven a drastic discount in unlawful bunkering and unlawful refining of petroleum merchandise. What was as soon as an space that recorded explosions of unlawful refineries, with a inhabitants slowly dying from the heavy soot that flowed from the ‘kpo fire’ used for ‘cooking’ diesel, PINL’s actions haven’t solely restored close to 100% pipeline safety and security. Many of our offended younger males have now been outfitted with the important expertise to contribute to nationwide growth.
The tide is popping within the Niger Delta. The area is regularly shifting away from a historical past of violence and battle, marked by rivalry amongst its ethnic nationalities. The period when its competent individuals have been excluded from being main gamers within the oil and gasoline trade is coming to an finish. No individual or group within the area ought to really feel entitled to the huge oil and gasoline assets to the exclusion of others who’ve additionally borne the brunt of crude oil exploration and manufacturing during the last 60 years.
Now is the time for the individuals of the Niger Delta to breathe the contemporary air of peace and growth. Beyond pipeline surveillance contracts, the Niger Delta individuals have way more to realize. World-class refineries and mixing vegetation, oil and gasoline industrial parks, because the world has by no means seen, specialised coaching faculties, together with universities and centres for maritime and oceanography research, worldwide monetary hubs and banks for the event of oil and gasoline industries and communities, and plenty of extra are but to be established within the area, and to be owned by Niger Deltans.
Only an environment of mutual respect among the many ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta can obtain the brand new goals of the area and its individuals. Welcome to the brand new period.
Tietie, lawyer, Media Personality and Convener of the Energy Security Coalition, writes from Abuja
