A coalition of concerned youth bodies in Rivers State has urged President Bola Tinubu to decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Mr. Charles Malford called on the President to take further decisive steps toward achieving lasting peace and stability by decentralising the surveillance contracts.
In a statement, the coalition commended the President for ongoing developmental efforts in the region, noting his commitment to improving the welfare of oil-producing communities.
The group emphasised that decentralising pipeline security contracts would create more job opportunities for youths, who make up the majority of the population in the region.
“The concentration of contracts in the hands of a single company is neither equitable nor sustainable. Local communities should be directly involved in securing infrastructure to promote ownership and accountability,” the statement read.
The coalition added that engaging local youths in pipeline security would help reduce crime, drug abuse, and other social challenges in the region.
“Decentralisation promotes better grassroots participation and enhances the protection of critical infrastructure by involving community members who are intimately familiar with their local environments,” it stated.
The group also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to clarify and unbundle existing contracts related to pipeline and wellhead surveillance to ensure transparency and clearly defined responsibilities.
“This call for decentralisation is timely, fair, and necessary for fostering inclusiveness, improved security, and stronger regional cooperation,” the coalition added.
The youth bodies reiterated their commitment to peace, development, and progress in the Niger Delta and across Nigeria, stressing their support for policies that empower youths and safeguard critical national infrastructure.
Also speaking, National President of the Rivers Youths Federation, Patrick Saviour, said it would be unfair to assign such contracts to individuals outside the region when local communities have the capacity to handle them.
He appealed to the President to review the situation, warning against the risks of concentrating such contracts in the hands of a single individual.
“It should not be a situation where one person holds a contract and turns it into a family business. When such contracts are given to one person, sabotage can easily occur,” he said.
On his part, Rivers youth leader Benson Ati also supported the call, noting that localising the contracts would improve effectiveness and deliver better results.
“For instance, we are Rivers people and should be able to secure Federal Government assets in our communities more effectively. Decentralising pipeline surveillance will improve employment and enhance security for infrastructure that serves the entire nation,” he said.
