“‘Not Our Deal!’ Niger Delta Youths Reject Alleged Backdoor Approval of Pipeline Contract”
By Paul Ebi
Tensions are rising across the Niger Delta following explosive allegations by activist Fejiro Oliver, who has accused top political figures and security agencies of orchestrating what he described as a “pre-arranged political scam” over the controversial N2.1 trillion pipeline surveillance contract.
The contract, reportedly awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Maton Engineering, is currently under discussion at the National Assembly. However, Oliver claims the outcome of the engagement has already been decided behind closed doors.
In a strongly worded statement addressed to Niger Deltans, Oliver alleged that the planned roundtable discussion is merely a “cosmetic exercise” aimed at legitimizing the interests of former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and businessman Matthew Tola.
According to him, prior secret meetings had already shaped the direction of the National Assembly’s deliberations, leaving invited stakeholders with little real influence. He raised concerns over the selective invitation process, noting that only the Managing Director of Tantita was invited, while Maton Engineering’s leadership was excluded.
“This raises serious questions about transparency,” Oliver said. “If both companies are truly independent entities, why is only one being represented? This only reinforces suspicions that the entire arrangement lacks corporate integrity.”
He further questioned the presence of top security officials, including the Inspector General of Police and military chiefs, at what he described as a politically driven discussion rather than a genuine investigative hearing.
Oliver also took direct aim at National Assembly leaders, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas, accusing them of attempting to “rubber-stamp” a predetermined outcome in favor of Tantita.
He argued that the concentration of such massive surveillance funds in the hands of a few individuals undermines the broader interests of the Niger Delta region, warning that it could fuel unrest.
Invoking prominent regional figures such as Ateke Tom, Boyloaf, and Shoot-at-Sight, Oliver stressed that no single entity should dominate the region’s economic opportunities.
“We either have decentralization or nothing at all,” he declared. “If the wealth will not be fairly distributed, then it should not flow at all.”
The statement has already begun to stir heated debate across the region, with many observers warning that the controversy could deepen longstanding grievances over resource control, transparency, and equitable distribution of oil wealth.
As the National Assembly proceeds with its deliberations, all eyes remain on Abuja to see whether the process will address these concerns—or further inflame tensions in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
