Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have raised serious concerns over the federal government’s pipeline surveillance contract, saying it has failed to curb oil theft and vandalism in the region, ENigeria Newspaper has learnt.
The Niger Delta Roundtable, during an emergency meeting on Sunday, called for pipeline contracts to be spread across states and communities instead of being awarded to a single individual, to ensure the benefits reach those most affected by exploration and national asset protection.
After reviewing the performance of the current contract, the group described it as an “abysmal failure,” noting that illegal bunkering and asset vandalism remain widespread.
“In the first eight months of 2025, Nigeria lost 93.74 million barrels of crude oil and condensate production against its own budget targets. At Bonny Light’s average price of $73.06 per barrel, that is $6.85 billion in revenue that Nigeria produced for no one,” the statement, signed by Dr. Taro Theophilus, read.
The stakeholders added: “These are not opposition figures. They came from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s own data, confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The pipeline surveillance contract was commissioned to prevent exactly this. It has not. The 2025 federal budget assumed daily production of 2.06 million barrels.
“Actual output averaged 1.673 million barrels per day, a shortfall of 390,000 barrels every single day. Nigeria met its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota of 1.5 million barrels per day in just three months of the entire year. September was the worst, when output fell to 1.39 million barrels per day. By January 2026, six consecutive months into missing its OPEC target, Nigeria was producing 1.459 million barrels per day against a 2026 budget benchmark of 1.84 million.”
While criticizing the overall pipeline contract, local communities in Tombia, Degema Local Council Area, Rivers State, commended Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, operated by former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), for its contribution to pipeline protection.
The company, first awarded the contract in August 2022 and renewed in 2024, has reportedly achieved a significant reduction in oil theft and illegal refining activities.
Also, youth leader Tarry Fayofori said Tantita’s engagement has been effective, contributing to increased national oil output and enhanced regional security.
Community spokesman Dennis Philip added, “The company’s presence has contributed to increased national oil output and improved security across the region.”
The stakeholders urged the federal government to maintain and expand Tantita’s operations, describing the firm’s efforts as one of the most successful interventions in protecting Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure, while emphasizing the need for future contracts to benefit multiple states and communities rather than concentrating control in the hands of a single contractor.
