“Tension in Oil Communities: ‘Give Us Our Share or Face Consequences’ — Niger Delta Stakeholders Warn”

By Tarakirivoice

Tensions are rising in Bayelsa State, in the heart of the Niger Delta, as women from the Egbemo-Angalabiri Domain staged a protest at a facility operated by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, demanding immediate inclusion in the allocation of operational slots.

The women, who turned out in large numbers, expressed deep frustration over what they described as years of neglect and marginalisation despite their community’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s oil wealth. Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the protesters insisted that women in Egbemo-Angalabiri have been systematically excluded from economic opportunities linked to oil surveillance operations.

According to the demonstrators, their exclusion is not only unjust but amounts to discrimination against women in a region already burdened by poverty and underdevelopment. They called for designated operational slots specifically reserved for women, arguing that inclusive participation would help address widespread hardship in the community.

The protest, though peaceful, carried a strong warning. The women signaled that failure by authorities and stakeholders to respond promptly to their demands could trigger sustained actions, raising concerns about potential disruptions in the already volatile region.

As of the time of filing this report, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has not issued any official response, and security operatives are said to be closely monitoring the situation.

Editorial: Oil Wealth, Human Suffering — A Region’s Cry for Justice

In a nation sustained by crude oil, a troubling contradiction persists: the communities that produce the wealth remain trapped in poverty.

From Ogbogolo to Egbemo-Angalabiri, the narrative is painfully consistent—abundance beneath the ground, deprivation above it. The recent incident involving global music star Burna Boy, reportedly stranded in his ancestral community due to poor road infrastructure, has further spotlighted the deep neglect of the region.

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Beyond viral moments lies a deeper crisis. In Egbemo-Angalabiri, located in Ekeremor Local Government Area, residents face severe infrastructural decay. Roads are nearly non-existent, healthcare services are inadequate, and unemployment remains widespread, particularly among youths.

For decades, these communities have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economy, yet basic amenities remain out of reach. This enduring neglect has increasingly been described by stakeholders as not just a governance failure, but a moral crisis.

Observers have called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address the plight of oil-producing communities, stressing that development must be inclusive and visible in regions that sustain the nation’s revenue.

Attention has also turned to the Niger Delta Development Commission, with renewed calls for accountability and tangible impact through infrastructure, healthcare, and job creation.

Fresh Allegations Stir Debate Over Pipeline Surveillance Contracts

Meanwhile, controversy continues to trail Nigeria’s pipeline surveillance system following allegations by activist Fejiro Oliver, who claimed that a significant portion of the multi-billion-naira contracts is concentrated among a narrow network of interests.

According to Oliver, the surveillance structure divides the Niger Delta into three operational corridors, with claims that two of these are linked to entities associated with a single influential network. He specifically referenced Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited as a key operator in the Western corridor, while alleging that Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited oversees the Central corridor under similar arrangements.

The activist further linked the contract structure to decisions made during the tenure of Timipre Sylva, raising concerns about transparency and equity in the allocation process.

Oliver warned that such concentration of economic control could heighten tensions in the region, urging the federal government to decentralize the contracts to ensure broader participation among Niger Delta stakeholders.

However, as of press time, neither Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited nor Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited has responded to the allegations. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has also remained silent on the matter.

Growing Pressure, Unanswered Questions

The unfolding developments—from grassroots protests to high-level allegations—underscore mounting pressure across the Niger Delta. Analysts warn that unresolved grievances over exclusion, underdevelopment, and perceived inequality in resource control could deepen instability in the region.

For communities like Egbemo-Angalabiri, the message is clear: the demand is no longer just for recognition, but for fairness, inclusion, and a tangible share in the wealth drawn from their land.