Pipeline Contract Award: Okowa Tackles Akeredolu; Asks What  He Wants; Hails FG

By Ayodele Oni

Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has hailed the decision of the Federal Government to award the oil surveillance contract to an indigene of the Niger Delta.

Okowa who spoke through the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said it was an acceptable practice all over the world to localize some jobs, adding that the essence of it was to get the buy-in of the locals.

The Governor noted that what was important was to secure the oil facilities, saying “we are happy that the contract is awarded to one of the sons of the Niger Delta.

”Don’t forget, they know the terrain and they are in a better position to secure the oil facilities and what lies beneath the earth of the region.

“We don’t know what Governor Rotimi Akeredolu wants, but we do know that the Federal Government’s decision to award the contract to locals is the best. “

Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu had, in a statement on Wednesday, titled WHO ACTUALLY NEEDS WEAPON? said:

“It is, shocking to read that the Federal Government has maintained the award of the contract to ‘protect’ the country’s pipeline from vandals to private organisations.

“This story, if true, leaves a sour taste in the mouth. The NSA will, obviously, not advise the President to approve the award of a contract of such magnitude if the operators have not displayed sufficient capacity to checkmate the criminal activities of equally powerful groups.

“Consequently, it is safe to conclude that the Federal Government has, impliedly, permitted non state actors to bear heavy assault weapons while denying same privilege to the States, the federating units.

“The award of contract to private organisations to protect vandalization of pipelines raise fundamental questions on the sincerity of the advisers of the Government on security issues.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari who also defended the award, stated that it was not the first time that individuals within the Niger Delta region were awarded a contract for pipeline surveillance, noting that the contract was for the interest of the people.

He said it was his belief that the Federal Government has taken the right decision to hire private contractors to man its oil pipeline network nationwide.

Kyari argued that although the security agencies are doing their part, end-to-end pipeline surveillance would require the involvement of private entities and community stakeholders.