From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Ex-agitators under the aegis of Niger Delta Peace Advocates (NDPA) have urged the Federal Government to thread with caution and not to listen to calls for the revocation of pipeline security surveillance contract awarded to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).

This follows a petition by a group, the ‘Aggrieved Freedom Fighters Forum’ (AFFF) which wants, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revoke the contract, over allegations of non-performance, marginalization, and other claims.

Speaking on behalf of the NDPA in Warri, Delta State last weekend, its spokesman, General Adoubokeme Julius Belemu, said the AFFF is a faceless group being sponsored to cause problems in the Niger Delta, and Delta State in particular

He called on the AFFF and other ex-agitator groups to stop the false allegations against the PINL, which is allegedly owned by a first class monarch of ltsekiri extraction in Delta State, while emphasizing that the Ijaws and ltsekiris have lived peacefully as brothers and no one should attempt to cause conflict between them

The NDPA spokesman wondered why the AFFF would embark on a campaign to demarket PINL which he noted, has a remarkable record of performance over the years, including success in protecting pipelines, employment of about fifteen thousand Niger Deltans, embarking on stakeholders engagement and medical outreach programmes, scholarship to youths to study within and outside Nigeria, just to name a few.

“The Niger Delta Peace Advocates believes strongly that no good will come out of this petition or better still, this barbaric plot to make the Federal Government revoke the pipeline surveillance contract to PIN which our people, the Ijaws, Itsekiris, Uhrobos and Isoko and other Niger Delta sons and daughters are the beneficiaries”.

He strongly condemned the AFFF’s petition as a waste of time, saying those the PINL employed have family members and other dependants to care for and that the group’s action, if not checked or confirmed, could have adverse effects on their lives.

General Belemu explained that, against the picture being painted about PINL, the security outfit has been working tirelessly to secure pipelines and has employed the services of fifteen thousand security experts and vibrant youths, from within and outside the host communities, without consideration of their ethnic affiliations.

“The allegation of marginalization is totally out of the question. I’m an Ijaw man and I stand for the truth and I tell you this company has empowered our youths with jobs to be able to provide for themselves and not to engage in oil theft” he said.

The ex-agitator on behalf of the NDPA, also appealed to the federal government not to be misled by any individual or groups, contending that the PINL is focused on its mandate of protecting government assets like pipelines, and has never been involved in the false claims as propagated by the AFFF.

“The area being covered by the PINL is very secured now, unlike before when oil bunkering and theft was rampant. The company and its staff have totally secured pipelines. The AFFF is a sponsored group wiping up ethnic sentiments and the federal government should be careful not to fall for its gimmicks. We want peace in Delta State and everywhere in Niger Delta to be sustained.”

“The alleged employment of only Itsekiris, continuous oil bunkering activities, sponsoring tribal conflicts, forceful land-grabbing, renaming of ljaw communities and territorial claims over ljaw lands among others, are all lies. These are not the terms of reference given to PINL by the federal government and such the government shouldn’t fall for the bait”.

The NDPA particularly commended and passed a vote of confidence on the two illustrious Ijaw sons leading the company, Chief Seleke Alamiesagha and Chief Akpos Mezeh for their commitment and dedication towards protection of critical assets belonging to the federal government, emphasizing that they have helped to secure the Niger Delta region to be peaceful and grow its economy.

He enjoined the duo and by extension, the PINL not to be distracted by the AFFF’s petition but to remain focused, continue to observe international best practices in curbing pipeline vandalism and oil theft, and carry along all stakeholders, especially the youths, while assuring them of the support of stakeholders such as the NDPA and ex-agitators in Delta State and the entire Niger Delta region.

General Belemu, further called on the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, traditional rulers and opinion leaders to double their effort, in collaboration with the President Tinubu-led Federal Government to douse ethnic tensions in the state as no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity.