Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has cautioned against proposals to decentralise pipeline surveillance operations in the Niger Delta, warning that such moves could undermine coordination and weaken recent gains in protecting oil infrastructure.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the lawmaker said growing calls to split surveillance responsibilities among multiple actors risk introducing inefficiencies into what he described as a sensitive national security function.

The comments follow renewed agitation by some groups seeking broader participation in pipeline protection contracts currently managed by private firms, including Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

Agbese acknowledged concerns around inclusion and equity in the Niger Delta but argued that safeguarding oil infrastructure requires a coordinated and disciplined approach.

“Pipeline surveillance is not a contract that can be shared like political patronage,” he said. “It is a strategic national responsibility tied directly to Nigeria’s economic stability.”

He maintained that the existing framework has contributed to improvements in crude oil output and a reduction in pipeline vandalism, attributing this to a more centralised operational model.

According to him, fragmenting surveillance responsibilities across multiple groups could create gaps in coordination, weaken accountability and increase the risk of infiltration by criminal elements.

“When too many actors are involved, you create vulnerabilities that can be exploited,” he said, warning that compromised operations could embolden oil theft and sabotage.

Agbese also stressed that oil infrastructure protection remains critical to national revenue, noting that disruptions in production have wider implications for public finances and economic stability.

“Our oil assets are national assets. Any failure in protecting them affects the entire country,” he said.

He urged stakeholders to pursue dialogue with relevant authorities rather than public agitation, cautioning that politicising the issue could heighten tensions in an already fragile region.

While acknowledging the importance of stakeholder engagement, the lawmaker said reforms should be driven by evidence and national interest rather than competing claims for access.

“There is a clear difference between inclusion and fragmentation,” he added. “What matters is a system that delivers results.”

Agbese called for continued support for existing surveillance arrangements, alongside stronger monitoring to ensure transparency and accountability, insisting that national security operations must remain guided by professionalism and a clear chain of command.