Islanders Magazine

EXCLUSIVE: FG withdraws pipeline protection from OPC, Niger-Delta militant groups

The Federal Government of Nigeria, on Monday, cancelled the pipeline protection contracts from ethnic militia groups, and immediately ordered men of the Nigerian Army and Navy to take control of the pipelines.

Prince Segun Olalekan Akanni, Personal Assistant to the National Co-ordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, told Newsverge, via a phone conversation, that it was not that the Federal Government had withdrawn the pipeline protection contracts, rather the agreement signed to that effect expired today, Monday, June 15, 2015.

When asked if there was any of hope a renewal of the contract, Akanni said “that is left to government if they want”.

Contrary to the OPC’s confirmation, Tompolo’s media aide, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo said he was not aware of purported expiration of the contract.

Also, the spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eric Omare, completely claimed ignorant of issues relating to the pipeline surveillance contract.

Meanwhile, every attempt to speak with President Mohammadu Buhari’s spokesmen, Femi Adesina and Gabar Shehu, at the time of filing this report proved abortive as duo were not responding to calls nor SMS.

It will be recalled that the contracts for Anti-Oil Pipeline Vandalism was awarded by Jonathan administration to the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) and the Niger-Delta militants.

The monthly sum of the contract is N2.4billion – an amount meant for the purpose of “policing and protection of oil pipelines in the South West of Nigeria against oil thieves and those who destroys oil property.”