Niger Delta stakeholders criticize National Assembly's pipeline security roundtable as a 'jamboree

The Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum NDSF has labeled a recent parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security surveillance, organized by the National Assembly, as a 'jamboree.' According to a statement from Secretary-General Dr. Alaye Theophilus, the event was 'stage-managed' to conceal failures and questionable activities within the current pipeline surveillance contract system. Dr. Theophilus, who is also the President of the Ijaw Youth Council and President General of the Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, stated that the roundtable exposed 'deep structural weaknesses' and a lack of transparency in the current framework, with national security implications. The NDSF is demanding the dismantling of the existing pipeline surveillance structure, which they describe as 'fundamentally flawed' and 'non-performing,' advocating for its replacement with a transparent, decentralized, and accountable system. The group criticized the National Assembly for not demanding full operational reports from all surveillance contractors, noting that while Tantita Security Services Limited was frequently mentioned, other contractors like Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited and Maton Energy were not similarly scrutinized. The NDSF also refuted claims that stakeholders were properly engaged or invited, stating that only a generic flyer was circulated on social media hours before the event, which they do not consider an official legislative invitation.