Imo Traditional Rulers and Rivers Youth Groups Clash Over Pipeline Security Strategy
In a significant development in the Niger Delta, traditional monarchs and stakeholders from Imo State have publicly expressed their support for the current pipeline surveillance efforts led by Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo. This endorsement comes as a coalition of youth bodies in Rivers State pushes for the decentralization of security contracts in the region, highlighting a growing debate over the best approach to safeguarding oil infrastructure.
Imo Monarchs Laud Tompolo's Impact on Curbing Illegal Activities
Representatives from Ohaji/Egbema Local Council in Imo State have passed a vote of confidence in Tompolo's surveillance team, crediting it with a dramatic reduction in illegal oil bunkering and related violence. Andrew Vocor, the National Secretary of the Phase One Presidential Amnesty Programme, emphasized the positive outcomes, stating that the state has seen zero incidents of bunkering since the team's deployment. He recalled a tragic event where 300 lives were lost in a single day due to illegal activities, underscoring the effectiveness of the current security measures. The monarchs' stance reflects a belief that centralized efforts under Tompolo have brought stability and safety to their communities.
Rivers Youth Coalition Advocates for Decentralized Security Contracts
In contrast, a Coalition of Concerned Youth Bodies in Rivers State has issued a strong call for the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, to decentralize pipeline security contracts. In a statement signed by Mr. Charles Malford in Port Harcourt, the group argued that concentrating contracts with a single entity is neither equitable nor sustainable. They urged the government to take decisive steps toward lasting peace by involving local communities directly in securing infrastructure. The coalition highlighted that decentralization would create job opportunities for youths, who constitute the majority of the region's population, thereby reducing crime, drug abuse, and other social challenges. They stressed that grassroots participation enhances protection by leveraging local knowledge and fostering accountability.
Call for Clarification and Inclusiveness in Security Arrangements
The youth coalition further urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to clarify and unbundle existing pipeline and wellhead surveillance contracts to ensure clear roles and responsibilities. They described their call for decentralization as timely, fair, and necessary for promoting inclusiveness, better security, and strengthened regional cooperation. This move, they argued, aligns with President Tinubu's ongoing developmental efforts in the Niger Delta, which aim to enhance the welfare of oil-producing communities. The debate underscores the complex dynamics between centralized security approaches and local empowerment in addressing the region's persistent challenges.
