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NICHOLAS UWERUNONYE
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former spokesperson of South-South Diasporans in Burkina Faso, Comrade Walter Ukor, has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to review the award of oil pipeline surveillance and security contracts in Delta State, arguing that such arrangements should deliver greater benefits to host communities and youths in the oil-producing region.
Ukor made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja at the weekend, where he expressed concerns over what he described as the limited developmental impact of some surveillance contracts currently operating in parts of the Niger Delta.
According to him, pipeline surveillance contracts should not only focus on securing critical national assets but should also serve as vehicles for community development, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion.
He argued that communities hosting oil facilities deserve to see tangible benefits from contracts linked to the protection of petroleum infrastructure, adding that local participation and accountability should be central considerations in the award and management of such contracts.
Ukor specifically urged the Federal Government and NNPCL to review contracts allegedly awarded to politically exposed persons, maintaining that a more community-oriented approach would better serve the interests of the people living in oil-producing areas.
While speaking on the issue, he referenced former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, whom he identified as one of the political figures he believes should not be involved in pipeline surveillance arrangements.
Ukor, however, did not provide documentary evidence to support his claims regarding the contractual interests he attributed to the former lawmaker.
The APC stakeholder maintained that, in his view, surveillance contracts should not be perceived as political patronage but should be structured to create opportunities for youths and contribute to socio-economic development within host communities.
Drawing comparisons with other surveillance arrangements in the Niger Delta, Ukor commended the community engagement initiatives reportedly undertaken by some operators, particularly those associated with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
According to him, the company has received recognition in some quarters for supporting local employment and community-related projects while carrying out its surveillance mandate.
He argued that similar developmental outcomes should be encouraged across all surveillance contract areas in Delta State and the wider Niger Delta region.
Ukor expressed concern over what he described as the growing frustration among some youths in parts of Delta State who, according to him, feel excluded from opportunities connected to the oil and gas sector despite bearing the environmental and social consequences of oil exploration activities.
He said a review of existing arrangements could help address such concerns and strengthen community support for the protection of critical oil infrastructure.
The APC chieftain further advocated greater transparency in the award and implementation of surveillance contracts, saying public confidence would be enhanced if host communities had a clearer understanding of how such contracts are managed and how their benefits are distributed.
He also suggested that qualified stakeholders with established ties to local communities, including individuals who have played roles in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts in the Niger Delta, should be considered for participation in surveillance initiatives, subject to applicable laws and government regulations.
According to Ukor, the ultimate objective should be to ensure that pipeline surveillance contracts contribute not only to the protection of national economic assets but also to the welfare and development of the communities in which those assets are located.
He therefore called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to undertake a comprehensive assessment of existing contracts in Delta State with a view to ensuring inclusiveness, accountability, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
“The protection of oil infrastructure is a national responsibility, but the communities hosting these assets should also feel the positive impact of the resources generated from such engagements.
A transparent and community-focused framework will promote peace, stability, and development across the Niger Delta,” he stated.
This version keeps Omo-Agege in the story but avoids stating as fact that he holds contracts, diverted funds, “hijacked” contracts, impoverished youths, or used proceeds for politics. Those are the kinds of claims most likely to trigger a libel complaint unless independently verified.
