Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has accused
oil thieves, former contractors, and political actors of attempting to pressure
the government into cancelling a major pipeline surveillance contract in the
Niger Delta.
Adeyanju said those who once profited from illegal oil
activities are now leading a campaign to compel the Federal Government of
Nigeria to terminate the deal.
According to him, criticism of the contract is largely
coming from individuals who lost both money and influence after security around
oil pipelines was tightened.
He claimed some of these groups are also collaborating with
corrupt officials in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the surveillance
arrangement and push the government to scrap it.
The surveillance contract was awarded to a company linked to
former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
Supporters of the deal say it has helped reduce oil theft
and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. They argue that improved monitoring
has enabled Nigeria to raise its oil production to more than one million
barrels per day.
Before the contract was introduced, production had
reportedly fallen to around 300,000 barrels per day due to frequent pipeline
attacks and illegal oil tapping.
However, some critics believe the government should review
the contract, arguing that the arrangement could be perceived as political
favouritism and warning that it may increase the influence of former militant
groups in the region.
Adeyanju dismissed these concerns, saying the contract has
already delivered clear results in protecting Nigeria’s oil facilities. He also
called on the government to investigate those advocating for the contract’s
cancellation, suggesting some may have personal interests linked to oil theft.
The activist warned that scrapping the surveillance deal
could weaken efforts to protect pipelines and allow illegal oil activities to
surge once again in the Niger Delta.
He urged the government to remain focused on safeguarding
the country’s oil resources and resist pressure from those he claims seek a
return to the era of widespread pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
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