Niger Delta stakeholders call for review of pipeline surveillance contract
Niger Delta Stakeholders Call for Review of Pipeline Surveillance Contract
Stakeholders in the Niger Delta, organized under the Niger Delta Safety Watch (NDSW), have urged President Bola Tinubu to conduct an immediate and comprehensive review of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL). The company, owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, commonly known as Tompolo, received the contract from the Federal Government.
In a letter addressed to President Tinubu, dated February 19, 2026, and signed by spokesperson Chief Ebiowei Koro, the NDSW expressed concern over reported production shortfalls contributing to significant national revenue losses.
Recent data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) indicated that Nigeria’s crude oil output in January 2026 averaged approximately 1.46 million barrels per day, or 1.459 million barrels per day excluding condensate, according to OPEC figures. This level remains below OPEC’s quota of 1.5 million barrels per day and is significantly lower than the Federal Government’s 2026 budget benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day.
The stakeholders noted that production has fallen below the OPEC quota in several months, including January 2026, resulting in an estimated cumulative shortfall of 18.12 million barrels between January 2025 and January 2026. They indicated that these shortfalls have led to revenue losses amounting to billions of dollars.
“The persistent shortfalls indicate that the expected level of pipeline protection has not been achieved,” the letter stated.
The NDSW criticized TSSNL for allegedly shifting blame onto the Nigerian Armed Forces for shortcomings in surveillance outcomes, calling the behavior “shameless scapegoating.” They argued that this undermines the safety of military personnel who work to protect national assets.
Tompolo has reportedly pointed fingers at the military, accusing them of obstruction or complicity in oil bunkering rather than addressing the production shortfalls and vulnerabilities within the pipeline system.
“By casting aspersions on security institutions that have consistently dismantled illegal refineries, intercepted stolen crude, and arrested perpetrators, Tompolo deflects from his failures and erodes public confidence in the Armed Forces,” the NDSW asserted. They described such statements from someone entrusted with public funds as unacceptable and indicative of a lack of accountability.
The stakeholders called into question the reliance on a private entity for a function of critical national security, particularly when results have not met expectations. They suggested that improved coordination with established security forces, such as the Joint Task Force, is vital for achieving more effective outcomes in the region.
