A Coalition of Concerned Youth Bodies in Rivers State has urged the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu to decentralise pipeline security contracts in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement signed on Sunday, by Mr Charles Malford, on behalf of the coalition in Port Harcourt, called on the President to take further decisive steps toward achieving lasting peace and stability in the region by decentralising the surveillance contracts.
The coalition expressed gratitude to Tinubu, for his ongoing developmental efforts in the region, noting the President’s commitment to improving the welfare of the oil-producing communities.
The Youth bodies emphasised that decentralising pipeline security contracts is essential for creating job opportunities for youths, who make up the majority of the region’s population.
They said “Concentration of contracts in the hands of a single company is neither equitable nor sustainable. Local communities should be involved directly in securing infrastructure to promote ownership and accountability.
“Engaging local youths meaningfully in pipeline security will reduce tendencies towards crime, drug abuse, and other social challenges.
Decentralisation promotes better grassroots participation and enhances the protection of critical infrastructure by involving community members intimately familiar with their local environments.”
The coalition further urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to clarify and unbundle the existing contracts related to pipeline and wellhead surveillance to ensure clear roles and responsibilities.
They stressed that “this call for decentralisation is timely, fair, and necessary for fostering inclusiveness, better security, and strengthened regional cooperation.”
The Youth bodies however, reiterated its commitment to peace, development, and progress in the Niger Delta and across Nigeria, saying “The coalition stands united in advocating for policies that empower youths and safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure.”
