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Revoke Pipeline Protection Contracts from Tompolo, Other ex-Militants -Group Tells Tinubu
...Such Awards Undermine Nigeria's Sovereignty, the Group Claims
By Samuel Ogunsona
The National Coalition of Civil Society Groups, NCCSG, has urged the Nigerian Government to stop the award of pipeline protection contracts to some people that the group described as “disputable individuals or authorities”.
This was the kernel of a press conference it held in Lagos, Monday, and a statement issued thereafter by the group’s Director of Publicity, Mr. Taiwo Adeleye.
The coalition condemned the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to ex-militants groups.
At the press conference tagged: Oil, Livelihood, Security and Future of Democracy in Nigeria, the rights group observed that surveillance contracts awarded to some “individuals of dubious character” will not only compromise national security and democracy, but also inadvertently empower and arm the individuals to instigate more insecurity and instability in the region.
Specifically, they noted that there was no justification for entrusting the nation’s pipelines to Tantita Limited and Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who was once associated with violence in the Niger Delta region.
Said the group: “Recent developments highlight a disturbing trend: surveillance contracts are being awarded to individuals and entities with a history of militant activity against the Nigerian state. Such decisions not only compromise national security but also risk empowering these groups to further arm themselves, thereby perpetuating violence and instability in a region already beset by challenges.”
Expressing shock at the ambush and brutal murder of 17 soldiers in Okuama village, in Delta State, the coalition was worried about the future of oil, livelihood and human security in Nigeria.
The group continued: “The shocking attack in Okuama resulting in the loss of 17 soldiers serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of arming those with a history of violence one of which is the proliferation of arms and the fact that many non-state actors are still in possession of illicit weapons.
“Entrusting pipeline security to those with militant backgrounds undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty and international reputation, particularly within OPEC.”
The coalition insists that handing over pipeline security to armed groups will further undermine Nigeria security and International conventions.
Their words: “The handing over of pipelines to armed groups will further undermine these international Conventions which include but not limited to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the Biological and Chemical Weapons Convention, the Anti-Personnel Landmine Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Convention on Certain arms proliferation.”
The coalition, therefore, called on the Nigerian Government to review and revoke pipeline surveillance contracts currently awarded to people with the history of violence and terrorism.
“Federal government should review and revoke pipeline surveillance contracts held by people associated with violence in the past and even terrorism, including former armed militants, to prevent the potential misuse of such funds for arms proliferation.
“The United Nations recently listed Nigeria as home to 75 percent of over 500million illegal weapons in the world,” the coalition declared. “This is a dangerous spell. President Tinubu should Investigate the proliferation of arms in the Niger Delta, including the role of armed militants in the importation of illegal weapons. This is a major issue that must be addressed if Nigeria is to be taken seriously by the international community.
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