The Committee for Transparency and Good Governance (CTGG) has cautioned that granting or renewing the pipeline surveillance contract in the Urhobo land area to Tantita Security Services Limited, owned by former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, or to any individual who is not an Urhobo indigene, would risk provoking pipeline vandalism and disrupting oil production in Delta State.

In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Onos Austin, the group stressed that Urhobo, Ijaw, and other Niger Delta ethnic nationalities suffer equally from the negative effects of oil exploration and exploitation, including environmental degradation, inhaling noxious gases emitted from industrial activities, stunted farm produce, etc., and should therefore enjoy equal benefits.

The CTGG further emphasized that awarding such contracts exclusively to one ethnic group or an influential individual undermines fairness and fuels resentment among other communities whose lands and livelihoods are equally affected.

It warned that marginalising the Urhobo people in matters concerning oil security and resource management could escalate tensions and trigger unrest that might destabilize the fragile peace in the region.

The group urged the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to adopt an inclusive approach in the allocation of surveillance contracts, ensuring that all host communities benefit proportionately.

According to the CTGG, this would not only strengthen local cooperation in protecting oil assets but also enhance accountability, reduce sabotage, and foster sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.

Austin said: “The Federal Government and NNPCL must not expect Urhobo people to share in the pains of oil exploration and exploitation without sharing in the gains. If in flagrant disregard to our call, the surveillance contract is awarded to Tantita including the Urhobo land area, things would fall apart and the center will not hold. There would be complete anarchy, vandalization of oil and gas facilities, and total disruption of production in the Urhobo area of the Niger Delta since that is the only language the Government understands.

“The Federal Government cannot award benefits only to Tompolo and the Ijaw while leaving Urhobo with the pains. This injustice will not stand.”

The group further invoked existing laws, citing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010 and the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which mandate host communities and indigenous contractors to be prioritized in oil and gas operations.

“The Urhobo area should be awarded to a bona fide son or daughter of Urhobo with the requisite competence. The Federal Government must not go contrary to its own laws by handing over Urhobo pipelines to a non-indigene,” it insisted.

It accused the Federal Government and NNPCL of failing to respect the multi-ethnic composition of the Niger Delta.

“Tompolo is of Ijaw extraction. The Ijaws are not the owners of the Niger Delta and cannot be treated as the sole beneficiaries of oil surveillance contracts,” the statement said.

Reaffirming its stand, the group declared: “We stand for what Tompolo himself stood for in 2009 — resistance against oppression, marginalization, and deprivation. We, therefore, reject any attempt to deny our people what rightfully belongs to them.”

The group urged the Federal Government to listen to the voice of reason and avert looming chaos in the region.