By David Owei, Yenagoa

An anti-corruption and Transparency group, Niger Delta Advocate 4 Good Governance, Anti-Corruption and Transparency, has sent a letter to President Bola Tinubu over rising disenchantment among some ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region over their alleged exclusion from the protection of national assets through the Oil Pipeline surveillance Jobs.

According to the group, despite the noticeable contributions of the Tantita Security Service owned by the foremost Former Militant Leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo in security oil pipelines in the region, the rising cry of exclusion by the Isoko,Itsekiri and other ethnic groups in the region is creating threatening tension in the region.

The group, after an emergency annual stakeholders meeting, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to review the ANTI-CORRUPTION indices and Anti people’s governance policies of the year 2025, stated that though the letter to President Bola Tinubu is not intended to malign any individual, company, kingdom, or ethnic nationality but to unravel the untold story of the pure marginalization of the original critical stakeholders who fought hard and denied for the pipeline surveillance contract job coordination of the Isoko Ethnic Nationality section.

According to the statement, signed by Engr. Captain Momoh Ebiowei Erickson, made available to media men via email, the group stated that the letter to Mr. President is a call for clarity, fairness, and urgent presidential engagement regarding the controversy surrounding the Isoko Ethnic Nationality Pipeline Surveillance arrangement under the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

According to the group, ”It is evident that since 2022 when the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited was engaged, it’s original purpose to reduced oil theft, pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage has not been achieved to boost production.But the worrisome zero participation of the rightful Stakeholders from Isoko land in the the Oil pipeline surveillance contract job in Isoko land, has become a focal point for security and economic instability”.

“It has become increasingly clear that there are ongoing demands from local stakeholders for greater involvement, with calls for the surveillance to be handled by local Isoko people and increase participation.”

The group recalled that the NNPCL under the former leadership of aced the Mallam Mele Kyari and Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, there were efforts during an expanded to include many ethnic nationalities including the Isoko nation with the the use of private pipeline surveillance contractors to combat crude oil theft and vandalism in other to increase crude oil production from mere 900 thousand barrels to 2m barrels daily as expected aim of the presidency.

“The major Western Corridor and that of the Central corridor surveillance operations were all awarded to:High Chief Dr, Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo, and that of MATON ENGINEERING NIGERIA LIMITED owned by Mathew Tonlagha through Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.This intervention was widely celebrated by all sons and daughters of the Niger Delta region, and expected to improve production levels beyond 1.4m barrels daily to 1.7m to 2m barrels and abov”

“But this multi-billion dollar pipeline surveillance contract job that was thoughtfully approved and implemented by the former president, Muhammadu Buhari of blessed memory in the year 2022 could not achieve its purpose, and was expected to reduce pipeline vandalism, oil theft nationwide.”

:This development led to the open acknowledgment from the Organisation of Petroleum Producing Countries (OPEC) that despite the private security engagement, the nation Nigeria is unable to meet the production quantum of even 1.5m barrels not to talk of 2m barrels per day, it is unfortunate.”

He also recalled that It has been reliably conveyed to our organization as advocates of transparency, good governance and the rule of law that Mr. Karo Edor and his team, representing stakeholders from the Isoko Ethnic Nationality, actively pursued inclusion in the surveillance structure covering Isoko land, and a lot of sacrifices where made by this young men and even submitted petitions to the law enforcement agencies in Abuja for the interest of peace and stability as law abiding citizens that does not believe in violence rather meaningful dialogue.

“According to accounts presented to us engagements were held with senior officials of NNPC Limited management in different occasions. Petitions were reportedly submitted to the 9th Senate Committee on Public Petitions, chaired by distinguished Senator Pius Akereleye and the first meeting reportedly took place at Frayza Suite, Abuja, and later at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.”

“Those said to have been present at various engagements include: Mele Kyari, Ali Zara (former MD, NPDC, Matthew Tonlagha vice chairman TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES NIGERIA LIMITED and the MD/CEO, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited; associated with Tantita operations), Dr. Dennis Otuaro who was the former Personal Assistant to Mr Mathew Tonlagha then, and now the Presidential Amnesty Programme Administrator.It is reported that, during these engagements, an understanding was reached that Mr. Karo Edor and his group would coordinate the Isoko segment of the pipeline surveillance project that cut across the entire Isoko land.”

“However, stakeholders now claim that the coordination structure was later implemented differently with some cronies of questionable characters were placed in charge of the Isoko Ethnic Nationality Pipeline Surveillance coordination, instead of the main stakeholders who were the rightful persons that fought hard for it, Mr Karo Edor and his team where practically denied and marginalized, and it was assigned to one Ashaka and Mr Kome who wherever in the picture from the onset of this Isoko Ethnic Nationality Pipeline Surveillance coordination agitation.”

“However, it should be put on record that there are growing concerns in the Niger Delta Region over this issue. Your Excellency, the Niger Delta region has remained economically sensitive and historically fragile and there are increasing concerns that perceived marginalization of certain ethnic nationalities in oil pipeline security surveillance contract arrangements.”

“Also there is the growing show of lack of transparent communication absence of inclusive stakeholder dialogue may provoke sharp tensions and security infractions that could undermine peace and oil production stability in the region.We are particularly concerned that the misunderstandings surrounding the allocation structure in Isoko land, and in parts of Itsekiri, Kalabari kingdom, under the rulership of HRM ALHAJI MUJHID ASARI DOKUBO, Okrika Okochiri kingdom, under the ruleship of HRM King Ateke Tom, in southern Ijaw local government Areas of Bayelsa state under the domain of General Boyloaf, who is the founder of MEND in the struggle, and in Ondo state areas where a well-respected high Chief and an ex Militant leader come from, the person of General Shootasite and other where not properly addressed, may escalate into avoidable regional agitation”.

“This is not a threat; it is a warning based on evident historical realities in the Niger Delta! The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Consideration Section 257(1) & (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) recognizes the role and responsibility of Host Communities in protecting oil and gas infrastructure within their domains.”

“We respectfully submit that inclusive participation of host communities strengthens security outcomes and Exclusion or perceived exclusion weakens cooperation. Transparency builds distrust and fuel agitations.”

Your Excellency, as a leader known for political inclusiveness and strategic engagement, we respectfully urge you to invite all critical stakeholders to a Presidential roundtable discussion and include recognized traditional rulers,representatives of ethnic nationalities across the Niger Delta, Leadership of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON), Representatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Relevant federal agencies.”

“Commission a transparent review of the surveillance coordination framework to ensure equity and compliance with the PIA.This proactive step will Prevent possible unrest, Safeguard production growth targets, Protect national revenue and Reinforce your administration’s commitment to fairness and justice, because an injury to one is an injury to all.”

“Stability must not only be measured in barrels per day it must also be measured in justice, inclusion, and peace.We believe that if this matter is transparently addressed now, Nigeria can avoid unnecessary tension and secure long-term production sustainability.Your Excellency, history has shown that unattended grievances in the Niger Delta often escalate beyond expectation.”

“We therefore respectfully request urgent Presidential intervention to clarify the Isoko Pipeline Surveillance arrangement and ensure equitable host community participation across all corridors. We remain committed to peace, unity, and national economic stability.This was an emergency annual stakeholders meeting that was held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to review the ANTI-CORRUPTION indices and Anti people governance policies of the year 2025.”