Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Bola Badmus
Published on 2024-04-15 16:16:01
The Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Groups (NCCSG) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and halt the award of surveillance contracts to companies led by individuals with questionable characters by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). This call was made during a press conference held in Maryland, Lagos, where the coalition expressed concerns about recent events, particularly the attack in Okuoma village that led to the tragic killing of 17 soldiers.
The coalition commended President Tinubu for his efforts in combating oil theft and the Nigerian Navy for their work in the same area. However, they raised alarm over the practice of entrusting pipeline security to individuals with militant backgrounds, which they believe undermines the country’s sovereignty and international reputation within OPEC.
During the press conference on “Insecurity, Environmental Threat, and Oil Production in Nigeria: The Time for Sanity is Now,” the Niger-Delta Coordinator of the coalition, Comrade Taiwo Adeleye, alongside Comrade Fred Ojinika and Comrade Kole Ajayi, questioned the rationale behind NNPCL’s decision to award surveillance contracts to individuals with a history of militant activities against the state. They warned that this practice not only compromises national security but also risks empowering these groups to perpetuate violence and instability in the already troubled region.
The recent attack in Okuoma village, resulting in the loss of 17 soldiers, served as a grim reminder of the consequences of arming violent groups. The coalition emphasized that this trend of arming known militants could lead to further violence and arms proliferation, posing a threat to regional stability. They called for President Tinubu to review and revoke pipeline contracts held by individuals associated with violence and terrorism in the past, as well as investigate the proliferation of arms in the Niger Delta.
Comrade Adeleye highlighted the threat of arms proliferation to regional stability and stressed the importance of upholding international laws and conventions, particularly the Arms Trade Treaty. He warned that Nigeria’s failure to address these issues could jeopardize its standing in the international community.
The coalition pledged to continue monitoring these critical issues and urged the government to take decisive action to safeguard national assets, restore confidence in the security apparatus, and maintain its international reputation. They emphasized the need for professionalism in military and pipeline protection operations and called for transparency in arms trafficking contracts.
In conclusion, the coalition reiterated their commitment to holding the government accountable and vowed to persist until these issues are addressed. They urged President Tinubu to prioritize national security, combat arms proliferation, and uphold Nigeria’s international commitments.
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