Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson for the House of Representatives, has issued a warning against the increasing politicization of pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta, stating that attempts to dismantle the arrangement could jeopardize national security and undo improvements in the protection of oil revenue.
Agbese’s comments coincide with a resurgence of activism by certain organizations advocating for the decentralization of pipeline surveillance activities, which are presently managed by private security companies like Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the legislator stated that although worries about fairness and inclusion in the Niger Delta are reasonable, pipeline protection is still a very delicate national task that cannot be subjected to political pressure or indiscriminate involvement.
He emphasized that monitoring vital oil infrastructure is a specialized task that calls for cooperation, confidence, and stringent operational discipline rather than being an all-comers affair.
“Unlike political sponsorship, pipeline surveillance is not a contract that can be divided. The goal of this key national security role is to protect Nigeria’s economic lifeline. Agbese cautioned, “We must be careful not to reduce it to a tool for accommodating every interest group.
The Benue member claimed that because of the present structure’s more centralized and coordinated approach, pipeline vandalism has decreased recently and crude oil output has improved noticeably.
He claims that dividing the contract into several pieces across states or organizations could lead to operational uncertainty, erode accountability, and leave the system vulnerable to criminal infiltration.
Gaps are unavoidably created when too many actors share such a delicate task. These holes can be taken advantage of. You run the risk of bringing moles into a system that demands the utmost integrity and secrecy,” he stated.
Agbese cautioned that the involvement of unscreened persons in pipeline surveillance activities could jeopardize intelligence, interfere with coordinated actions, and eventually give oil thieves and saboteurs more confidence.
He went on to say that sectional demands must yield to national security concerns, pointing out that Nigeria’s fiscal stability is closely linked to the preservation of its oil infrastructure.
“Our oil resources are national assets, not merely local ones. Government revenue, public spending, and the overall economy are all impacted by any interference with their protection, according to Agbese.
The member also warned against portraying the pipeline contract controversy as an entitlement dispute, arguing that doing so runs the danger of escalating tensions in an area that is already fragile.
Stakeholder engagement is crucial, he said, but it shouldn’t come at the price of effectiveness and security results.
“Fragmentation is not the same as inclusion. We must distinguish between the two. We require an effective framework that preserves infrastructure, produces results, and promotes the creation of national revenue,” he continued.
Additionally, Agbese advised organizations holding rallies against the contracts to take a more positive stance by interacting with pertinent government agencies through discussion as opposed to public agitation that can exacerbate tensions.
When necessary, he argued, reforms should be motivated by evidence and the interests of the country, not by pressure or conflicting demands for access.
“We must refrain from taking any moves that could impede progress while the nation is making great efforts to stabilize oil production and increase revenue. Politicization and division are not appropriate at this time, he declared.
The deputy spokesman called for ongoing oversight to guarantee accountability and transparency while restating the necessity of maintaining support for current surveillance arrangements that have proven their effectiveness.
He emphasized that professionalism and strategic coherence, not widespread distribution that would jeopardize their efficacy, must continue to be the guiding principles of national security operations.
It is impossible to democratize all responsibilities. Some need to have a clear chain of command, accuracy, and confidence. One of them, according to Agbese, is pipeline monitoring.
