Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, President-General of the Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities (CONDEN), has called for the decentralisation of pipeline surveillance contracts, saying it would serve as a deterrent to crude oil theft in the region.
Theophilus made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, highlighting challenges in the current pipeline monitoring system.
“You can’t ask people to stop artisanal refining when surveillance is monopolised. Illegal vessels load products from platforms because surveillance is monopolised with no checks,” he said.
He identified Tantita, Marton, and Pipeline Infrastructure as the three major companies currently engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) for pipeline surveillance, noting that many other companies function only as subcontractors.
“But what we are saying is this pipeline surveillance contract is a result of the agitation of the people of the Niger Delta, and you cannot say that people should stop boat fire business while you are now being monopolized with the sovereign job,” Theophilus added.
He concluded that decentralising the pipeline surveillance contract would enhance accountability and reduce crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
