Look beyond pipeline contracts, there are more to achieve in oil sector -IPF tells stakeholders

By Monday Peters, Abuja

The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has expressed concern over disagreements among ex-agitators and stakeholders over pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta region. In a press conference held on April 2, 2026, the group urged leaders to focus on pressing issues affecting the region, rather than squabbling over contracts.

IPF President Comrade Ozobo Austin stated that the focus on Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited contract is a distraction from core demands like environmental justice, resource control, and self-determination. He noted that pipeline surveillance is not exclusive to Tantita, and other firms are engaged in the process as well.

The group emphasised that Tompolo is not the problem, and the gains from Tantita’s participation in pipeline surveillance are visible, including job creation and improved security. They appealed to stakeholders to settle differences privately, rather than publicly.

IPF spotlights the Niger Delta’s rich resources and the poverty faced by its people, calling on the Federal Government and oil companies to address environmental damage and invest in the region’s development. They urged stakeholders to prioritize the region rather than personal interests.

The statement reads, “the attention of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has been drawn to the recent distractions, holocaust and misdirection of focus in the struggle for self-determination and justice for the oppressed people of the Niger Delta.

“As an intellectual arm of the Ijaw struggle, we are worried that key players in the struggle are at loggerheads over a mere pipeline contract. We have experienced it several times where people who do not even have a drop of oil in their states and communities handled such contracts in the Niger Delta without controversy, without blackmail, and without calls for decentralisation or threats.

“As key stakeholders and leaders, we urge all concerned to look beyond oil pipeline surveillance contracts and focus on pressuring the Federal Government to address the real issues affecting the region. Despite being the hub of Nigeria’s oil production, the Niger Delta remains underdeveloped, with its resources exploited without commensurate benefit to the local population.

“It is disheartening that key actors in the Niger Delta have abandoned the core demands of environmental justice, resource control, self-determination, and the implementation of the National Conference report convened under President Goodluck Jonathan administration. The current focus on the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited contract is misplaced and distraction from these fundamental concerns.

“Tantita is not the problem, and neither is Tompolo. The gains from Tantita’s participation in pipeline surveillance are enormous and visible, including job creation, a significant increase in daily oil production, improved security, and visible commitment to service. We appeal to aggrieved stakeholders that this contract should not be treated as a central issue.

“However, our attention should instead be directed towards critical demands such as the relocation of International Oil Companies’ operational headquarters to the Niger Delta, allocation of oil wells to indigenes, creation of additional states, and the rebuilding of communities affected by conflict, among others.

“It is also important to note that pipeline surveillance is not exclusive to Tantita. Other private security firms are engaged under the current arrangement, and the work is already shared across various stakeholders and regions. This reflects an existing level of decentralisation. Sadly, we don’t talk about others handling the surveillance contract but Tompolo becomes our focus of attacks at all times, we wish to state that this is not good for our collective unity, struggle and development.

“It is our candid advice that as leaders and stakeholders’ we should learn to settle our differences or misunderstanding in-house and not in the media space. It doesn’t tell good about us as a people, we cannot achieve our struggles if leaders and stakeholders continue to fight among themselves. Let us stop the pull him down syndromes among ourselves. This is an act that leaders would not condon if they found the younger ones involved in it. An injury to one is an injury to all. Let love lead among Ijaw and Niger Delta leaders and youths. Going forward let’s abide by this humble advice.

“The reality remains that the Niger Delta is rich in oil and gas resources, yet its people continue to face poverty, neglect, and environmental degradation. Oil exploration has caused severe damage to the ecosystem and undermined traditional livelihoods. It is time for the people of the Niger Delta to demand more from the Nigerian government.
It is not wrong while some stakeholders are taking charge of pipeline contracts, others handling oil blocs, oil pipeline laying contracts and oil drilling operation contracts in the Niger Delta region. We have extremely deviated and need redirection.

“We, therefore call on the Federal Government and International Oil Companies to take responsibility by addressing environmental damage, compensating affected communities, and investing meaningfully in the development of the region.

“We urge all stakeholders, including government officials, traditional rulers, and community representatives, to rise above internal disputes and focus on achieving lasting solutions for the Niger Delta because we can’t afford to fail our next generation.
The struggle for resource control, environmental justice, and self-determination continues. The people of the Niger Delta must not be distracted by secondary issues at a time when fundamental challenges remain unresolved.

“We demand concrete and measurable action from the government and oil companies to ensure that the wealth of the Niger Delta benefits its people. The future of the region depends on it” they added.