A coalition of Itsekiri groups and stakeholders from oil-producing communities has kicked against moves to decentralise pipeline surveillance operations, warning that such a move could expose critical oil infrastructure to heightened risk.
The groups insisted that a centralised surveillance framework remains the most effective approach to securing Nigeria’s oil pipelines, citing coordination, accountability and operational efficiency.
The Itsekiri groups stated this on Wednesday during a World Press Conference held at Ugbuwangue in Warri, Delta State, where the coalition unanimously opposed calls for the fragmentation of pipeline protection contracts.
In a joint statement read by Comrade Mone Oris, Chairman of the Itsekiri Liberation Group, ILG, the stakeholders said the existing structure under the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, 2021 already provides a balanced system that accommodates both professional security operations and community participation.
According to the coalition, pipeline surveillance is a specialised function that should not be treated as a distributable community benefit.
“The Petroleum Industry Act establishes a carefully balanced framework built on commercial viability, host community integration and national security,” the statement read.
“Within this structure, surveillance requires professional competence, operational discipline and a unified command.”
The group acknowledged the role of host communities as recognised under Section 257 of the Act but stressed that such involvement is meant to complement—not replace—professional security systems.
Warning against decentralisation, the stakeholders said fragmenting surveillance responsibilities across multiple community groups would weaken coordination and dilute accountability.
“Disaggregating surveillance responsibilities will complicate coordination and potentially expose critical infrastructure to greater risk,” the statement added.
Drawing from past experiences, the coalition noted that earlier community-based surveillance models recorded limited success, necessitating the shift to more structured and centralised systems.
They maintained that while community inclusion is critical, it must operate within clearly defined institutional frameworks to ensure effectiveness.
“The PIA is clear—community engagement must work alongside professionally managed security systems, not in place of them,” the group said.
The stakeholders also appealed to advocates of decentralisation to reconsider their position in the interest of national stability and sustained crude oil production.
They commended President Bola Tinubu for awarding pipeline surveillance contracts to indigenous firms such as Pipelines Infrastructure Nigeria Limited and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, describing the move as strategic and inclusive.
“Our appeal is that decentralisation is not the answer. We have seen the impact of a centralised system in boosting oil production in recent years. It is the best way forward,” Oris stated.
Also speaking, Comrade Itse Omajugho, Chairman of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Itsekiri chapter, said host communities are already actively involved under the current arrangement.
“The contractors work directly with community leadership, so the people are not excluded. What matters is involvement, not fragmentation. As it stands, production is improving,” he said.
