Agbese Warns against Fragmenting Niger-Delta Pipeline Surveillance
- Philip Agbese had warned that fragmenting pipeline surveillance contracts could weaken coordination and reverse recent security gains
- The lawmaker had said pipeline protection was a national security task that should not be treated as political patronage
- He had cautioned that decentralising surveillance operations could expose oil infrastructure to sabotage and revenue losses
Deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives Philip Agbese has warned that fresh calls to break up pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta could weaken coordination and threaten recent progress in protecting oil infrastructure.
In a statement made available to Legit.ng, he said the growing political tone around the debate risks undermining national security priorities.
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Speaking in Abuja, Agbese reacted to pressure from groups seeking to decentralise pipeline surveillance operations currently managed by private firms such as Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
He acknowledged long-standing concerns around inclusion in the region but said pipeline protection cannot be treated as a political concession.
Pipeline security not political patronage
Agbese said safeguarding oil infrastructure requires discipline, coordination and trust. He cautioned against opening the process to indiscriminate participation driven by agitation or sectional demands. According to him, pipeline surveillance is a strategic responsibility tied directly to Nigeria’s economic survival.
“Pipeline surveillance is not a contract that can be shared like political patronage. It is a strategic national security function aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s economic lifeline. We must be careful not to reduce it to a tool for appeasing every interest group,” he said.
The lawmaker noted that the current structure has coincided with higher crude oil output and fewer incidents of vandalism. He attributed these gains to a centralised framework that allows clear oversight and coordinated responses.
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Risks of fragmented surveillance operations
Agbese warned that dividing surveillance responsibilities among multiple actors across states or groups could create confusion and weaken accountability. He said such fragmentation could expose operations to infiltration and compromise sensitive intelligence.
“When you proliferate such a sensitive responsibility among too many actors, you inevitably create gaps. Those gaps can be exploited. You risk introducing moles into a system that requires the highest level of confidentiality and integrity,” he said.
He added that unvetted participants could disrupt coordination and embolden oil thieves. In his view, the consequences would extend beyond the Niger Delta and affect national revenue and public spending.
National interest over sectional pressure
Agbese said Nigeria’s oil assets belong to the entire country and should not be framed as regional entitlements. He cautioned that portraying the issue as a struggle for access could inflame tensions in an already fragile environment.
“Our oil assets are not just regional resources; they are national assets. Any disruption to their protection affects government revenue, public spending, and the broader economy,” he said.
He urged protesting groups to pursue dialogue with relevant institutions rather than public agitation. Agbese said any reforms should be based on evidence and national interest, not pressure. He also called for continued oversight to ensure transparency within existing surveillance arrangements.
“Not every responsibility can be democratised. Some require precision, trust, and a clear chain of command. Pipeline surveillance is one of them,” he added.
Philip Agbese resigns from APC
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and defected to the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lawmaker, who is representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue state, announced his official defection on the floor of the House during the plenary on Tuesday, March 31.
Source: Legit.ng
