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 combat over virtually all the pieces.
Beyond the pure useful resource curse of exploitation, environmental degradation, and large-scale human and materials underdevelopment, the extreme rivalry among the many ethnic teams and peoples of the Niger Delta was the first driver of pointless tensions that hindered the area’s improvement. From the Federal Government’s siting of a proposed Maritime University to the institution of an oil and fuel industrial park for the area, or any main maritime improvement, 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 improvement. Knowing this about them, their oppressors have learnt methods to maintain them preventing amongst themselves whereas the exploitation of their lands and folks continues.
Against this backdrop, the current claims by Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo in opposition to the Olu of Warri, fitted into the sample of unhealthy rivalry among the many individuals of the Niger Delta. It is most counterproductive and in opposition to the pursuits of peace and improvement 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 corporations 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 exhausting 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 similar to PINL achieved this for Nigeria. Therefore, no matter disagreements might exist over the allocation of the contracts and their prices, firstly, it should be acknowledged {that a} safety association that has restored practically 100% pipeline safety, diminished disruption, and ensured a considerably increased manufacturing of crude oil for Nigeria needs to be recommended.
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 fuel business, it was a welcome improvement when the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 awarded pipeline surveillance contracts to indigenous corporations 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 assessments of effectivity and good company governance which have been established underneath its erstwhile Chairman, Hosa Wells Okunbo, which earned it an already present long-standing safety contract based mostly on its monitor report. 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, nevertheless it alerts the integrity and reputational stability for which revered conventional rulers within the first-class class are recognized. While it’s appropriate that PINL operates a considerable a part of Nigeria’s pipeline-surveillance structure, principally overlaying the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline and related infrastructure, NNPCL has not authoritatively disclosed the exact monetary worth and proportion allocation of the respective contracts, regardless of extensively circulated and sharply disputed figures.
Therefore, it’s unnecessary 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 desires to advertise unity, peace, and fast improvement of the area and its individuals.
PINL’s coverage and observe of cutting down its surveillance operations by participating youths from oil and fuel host communities in gainful employment to supply safety and ancillary companies has led to a brand new wave of progress and improved dwelling 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 indignant younger males have now been outfitted with the essential abilities to contribute to nationwide improvement.
The tide is popping within the Niger Delta. The area is steadily transferring 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 fuel business is coming to an finish. No individual or group within the area ought to really feel entitled to the huge oil and fuel 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 recent air of peace and improvement. Beyond pipeline surveillance contracts, the Niger Delta individuals have rather more to realize. World-class refineries and mixing vegetation, oil and fuel 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 fuel 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 desires 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
