A Niger Delta stakeholder and human rights activist, Fejiro Oliver, has urged the Federal Government to decentralise pipeline surveillance operations by involving host communities across the region in protecting oil and gas infrastructure that passes through their areas.

Oliver made the call in Abuja while speaking on behalf of Stakeholders for the Betterment of the Niger Delta.

He argued that a more community-driven approach to pipeline protection would promote inclusion, strengthen local ownership, and enhance the safeguarding of critical national assets.

He said communities located along pipeline routes should be given opportunities to participate in surveillance activities within their localities, noting that such an arrangement would reflect the ethnic and geographical diversity of the Niger Delta.

According to him, expanding participation in pipeline surveillance would help reduce tensions, improve cooperation between communities and security personnel, and foster a shared sense of responsibility for protecting oil facilities.

“My position is that host communities should be allowed to take part in securing pipelines that pass through their areas. This will encourage inclusiveness and make the process more effective,” he said.

Oliver added that if the current structure of private surveillance contracts is to be sustained, deliberate efforts should be made to ensure that various communities in the Niger Delta are represented in the arrangement.

He said: “My position is that if this contract for pipeline surveillance must continue, let every tribe manage and handle pipelines that pass through their localities and areas.

“I will continue to call on the federal government to cancel the contracts and allow the Nigerian Navy naturally charged with such duties and Civil Defence to manage it solely. After all, even in the case of the Nigerian Local Content Act, it was to protect the local content.

“The act mandates that first consideration be given to Nigerian companies, goods, services, and personnel in all projects within the oil and gas industry. It aims to develop local capacity by requiring that at least 51 per cent of equity be held by Nigerians for companies to be considered indigenous.

He also suggested that the Federal Government could consider strengthening the involvement of statutory security agencies, including the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as part of efforts to improve pipeline protection.

Oliver appealed to the Federal Government to review the existing framework for pipeline surveillance with a view to promoting fairness, inclusiveness and sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.