Agbese Warns Against Splitting Pipeline Surveillance Contracts

Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has expressed concerns regarding calls to decentralize pipeline surveillance contracts in Nigeria. He warned that fragmenting these contracts could undermine coordination and reverse hard-won gains in oil infrastructure protection.

Agbese highlighted the sensitivity of pipeline protection in the Niger Delta and stressed that it should not be subjected to political pressures. He noted that the current surveillance is managed by private security firms, including Tantita Security Services Nigeria, and emphasized that a centralized approach has contributed to improvements in crude oil production amidst recent declines due to pipeline vandalism.

Agbese cautioned that introducing multiple actors could create operational confusion and expose the system to criminal elements. He urged stakeholders to engage constructively with government institutions rather than resorting to public protests, advocating for a focus on national interest rather than divisive politics to ensure the protection of Nigeria's oil assets and fiscal stability.