Fubara: One man show? No way! It will not work!!

Fubara: One man show? No way! It will not work!!

By Elem Kash

 

Is it fair for one man from one of the mineral bearing communities within the Niger Delta region to be awarded the sole contract for the exclusive protection of oil pipelines which crisscross the length and breath of six coastal states?

Is it the right thing to do? What could be the reason why the Federal Government in deciding to seek the support of ex-militant leaders to put an end to the vandalization of oil pipeline choose to give one man control of it?

These are questions that are being raised in some parts of the Niger Delta region – in the creeks where the oil bearing communities which host the oil pipelines are; and in the hamlets where the environmental impact of oil exploitation activities are felt on a daily basis.

Now,  along the corridors of power in Port Harcourt, questions over the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to “one man” by the Federal Government are being asked.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State who spoke Saturday when members of a Federal Government delegation led by the National Security Adviser,  Nuhu Ribadu visited him  did not hide the real feeling of the Rivers people over the development.

“Security of pipeline should not be given to one man or one person”, Fubara said while exchanging views with members of the delegation.

He condemned the posture of the Federal Government on the matter, noting that the rationale behind it did not appear to be fair and just.

Criticising the Federal Government for awarding the contract for the protection of crude oil pipelines to an individual, Fubara asked, “How can someone from Kalabari be controlling the pipeline in Ogoni?

“There is no way it will work. We must look at bringing all the key people in the various communities.

“Two of our sons from Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom are heading the Ministry of Petroleum. We don’t want them to fail. We must give them the necessary support.”

Governor Fubara said the strategy adopted to manage pipelines which crisscross key states, local government areas and oil-rich communities through “one man” would not yield maximum benefits.

The governor observed that it was totally unnecessary on the part of the Federal Government to encourage one man to have absolute control over sovereign assets in the territory of others.

He urged the Rubadu team to engage people at the grassroots in other to have a better picture of the situation on ground in the Niger Delta.

Fubara cried out against what he described as the neglect of the State by the Federal Government over the years.

And called on members of the Ribadu delegation to ensure this time that the outcome of their task would be mutually beneficial to the Federal and State governments.

 

Earlier, the National Security Adviser said the delegation was on a visit of Rivers and other Niger Delta states to find ways of stamping out activities of oil thieves and their well known penchant for refining petroleum products illegally.

Also speaking, the nation’s Defense Minister as well as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum  and the Chief of Defense Staff promised to carry out the instructions of the President to the letter.

Recall that the issue of the award of the surveillance contract under the watch of Chief Timipre Sylva generated strong angry reactions in the region.

Sylva was severely accused by some militant groups in and outside Rivers State of being very insensitive,  unfair and parochial in his judgment.

In August 2022, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari took steps to justify the government’s decision to award the multi-billion naira oil pipeline surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services.

He urged the Chiefs and people of the Niger Delta to forgo their differences and work with Tantita to achieve desired goals.

Tantita Security Services is owned by former militant commander, Chief Government Ekpemepulo popularly known as Tompolo.