Several leaders in the Niger Delta have warned that moves to decentralise pipeline security contracts could trigger fresh instability and threaten Nigeria’s economic lifelines.
Under the platform of the Niger Delta Watchdog, the stakeholders urged the Federal Government to retain the current structure managed by Tantita Security Services Limited, arguing that it has delivered measurable results in maintaining peace and protecting oil infrastructure.
In a communiqué issued after a meeting in Port Harcourt, the group cautioned that altering the existing arrangement could fuel disputes among communities, many of which already face tensions over land ownership, resource control, and pipeline routes.
They noted that decentralisation may worsen inter-community conflicts, create rival leadership structures, and weaken coordination, ultimately exposing critical infrastructure to vandalism and sabotage.
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According to the leaders, pipeline networks in the Niger Delta remain central to Nigeria’s economy, and any disruption could lead to revenue losses, reduced oil output, and damage to the country’s global reputation.
The group credited Tantita’s centralised operations with reducing pipeline vandalism, improving surveillance, and supporting conflict resolution across host communities. They added that the current model has helped sustain production levels and ensured relative stability in the region.
While acknowledging calls for inclusiveness, the stakeholders maintained that decentralisation could do more harm than good by fragmenting authority and undermining progress already achieved.
They therefore recommended that the government sustain the existing framework, strengthen community engagement, and prioritise stability, warning that reversing current gains could reignite illegal activities and economic disruptions in the region.
