Agbese Warns Against Dividing Pipeline Surveillance, Cites Risk to Oil Security

Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson for the House of Representatives, has issued a warning against the increasing politicization of pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta, stating that attempts to dismantle the agreement could jeopardize national security and undo improvements in the protection of oil revenue.

Agbese’s comments coincide with a resurgence of agitation by certain organizations demanding the decentralization of pipeline surveillance operations, which are presently managed by private security companies like Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the congressman stated that pipeline preservation is still a very delicate national task that cannot be susceptible to political pressure or indiscriminate involvement, even while worries about equity and inclusion in the Niger Delta are understandable.

He emphasized that monitoring vital oil infrastructure is a specialized task that calls for cooperation, confidence, and rigorous operational discipline rather than being an all-comers affair.

“Unlike political patronage, pipeline surveillance is not a contract that can be shared.” Protecting Nigeria’s economic lifeline is the goal of this vital national security role. Agbese cautioned, “We have to be careful not to reduce it to a tool for appeasing every interest group.”

The Benue senator claimed that because of a more coordinated and centralized approach, the present structure had led to quantifiable increases in crude oil output and a decrease in pipeline vandalism in recent months.

He claims that dividing the contract into several parts across states or organizations could lead to operational uncertainty, erode accountability, and leave the system vulnerable to criminal infiltration.

“Gaps are always created when you distribute such a delicate task among too many actors. These weaknesses are exploitable. You run the risk of adding moles to a system that demands the utmost integrity and secrecy,” he stated.

Agbese cautioned that the involvement of unapproved players in pipeline surveillance activities might jeopardize intelligence, interfere with coordinated actions, and eventually give oil thieves and saboteurs more confidence.

He further stated that sectional demands must be subordinated to national security concerns, pointing out that Nigeria’s fiscal stability is closely linked to the preservation of oil infrastructure.

“Our oil resources are national assets, not simply regional ones. Any interference with their protection has an impact on public spending, government revenue, and the overall economy, according to Agbese.

The member also warned against portraying the pipeline contract controversy as a fight for entitlement, arguing that such narratives run the risk of escalating tensions in an already sensitive area.

He pointed out that although involving stakeholders is crucial, efficiency and security results shouldn’t suffer as a result.

“Fragmentation and inclusion are not the same thing. The two should not be confused. We need an effective system that preserves infrastructure, generates national income, and produces outcomes,” he continued.

Additionally, Agbese advised organizations holding demonstrations against the contracts to take a more positive stance by interacting with pertinent government agencies through discussion as opposed to public agitation that can exacerbate tensions.

When necessary, he argued, reforms should be motivated by evidence and the national interest rather than by pressure or conflicting claims to access.

“We must refrain from measures that could impede development at a time when the nation is making great efforts to stabilize oil production and increase revenue. He declared, “This is not the time for politicization or division.”

The deputy spokesman called for ongoing oversight to guarantee accountability and transparency while restating the necessity of sustained support for current surveillance arrangements that have proven their effectiveness.

He emphasized that professionalism and strategic coherence, rather than widespread distribution that would jeopardize their efficacy, must continue to be the guiding principles of national security operations.

Not all responsibilities are democratizable. Some call for accuracy, confidence, and a distinct chain of command. Among them is pipeline surveillance, Agbese continued.