The Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to decentralise pipeline surveillance contracts across the region to ensure equity, inclusiveness, and broader participation.

The group made the call after an emergency meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, warning that continued exclusion of key stakeholders could trigger protests and threaten national economic stability.

In a statement signed by Dr Tari Theophilus, the forum cautioned that it was making a final effort to avert agitation in the region, noting that the current structure of pipeline contracts risks escalating tensions.

The stakeholders criticised what they described as the actions of the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Denis Otuaro, alleging that his conduct could undermine regional peace, national economic interests, and ongoing reforms in oil and gas infrastructure surveillance.

They expressed concern that their advocacy for decentralisation of surveillance contracts had been misrepresented as an attempt to undermine Tantita Security Services.

“The forum states unequivocally that our call is for the decentralisation of all surveillance contracts within the Niger Delta to ensure local participation, equitable opportunities, and engagement of key regional stakeholders—not to undermine any single operator,” the statement said.

The group further alleged that some leaders within the Amnesty Programme had been mobilised to stage protests in support of the current centralised arrangement.

It warned such leaders against being used to advance narrow interests, urging them to act in the broader interest of their communities and the region.

“We are aware that some have been threatened with the suspension of stipends and allowances for failing to align. We assure them of our support against any form of victimisation,” the forum stated.

The NDSF emphasised that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is a national institution serving the entire Niger Delta and should not be used to protect sectional interests.

It accused Otuaro of leveraging his office to defend narrow interests, warning that such actions could destabilise the fragile peace in the region.

The forum called on the Federal Government to ensure a clear separation between the Amnesty Office and pipeline surveillance operations, adding that failure to act could hinder critical reforms.

It also urged President Tinubu to caution against any form of coercion of beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme to support protests or defend the current contract structure.

According to the forum, such actions undermine trust, governance, and the broader objective of achieving sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.

“The Niger Delta will no longer tolerate narrow interests compromising national wealth and regional stability. Full decentralisation of surveillance contracts is non-negotiable, urgent, and essential,” the statement added.