Pipeline Surveillance Contracts: Group Faults Reps’ Confidence Vote, Demands Forensic Probe

By Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Network of Advocacy for Positive Impact Initiative has criticised the House of Representatives’ vote of confidence in companies handling crude oil pipeline surveillance contracts, describing the decision as a setback for accountability and a potential threat to national security.

The group’s director, Comrade Clement Iyang, said the resolution was troubling because, according to him, it was reached without a comprehensive forensic examination of the contractors’ operations and financial dealings.

In a statement, Iyang expressed concern over the amount reportedly spent on pipeline surveillance contracts, arguing that the expenditure raises serious questions about Nigeria’s security priorities and the management of public funds.

He warned that abruptly terminating the contracts without a carefully planned transition could create a security vacuum, potentially undermining efforts to protect critical oil infrastructure.

Iyang also questioned the transparency of the contracts, citing discrepancies between the figures previously announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and what he described as subsequent revelations about actual spending.

He said NNPCL had publicly put the monthly cost at approximately N4.8 billion, adding that the alleged differences in reported expenditure required independent verification.

The group called for an independent audit of NNPCL and the financial records of all parties involved in the pipeline surveillance arrangements.

It also renewed its demand for a forensic investigation into the N11.2 trillion in receivables NNPCL reportedly claims from the Federation, including N8.67 trillion attributed to energy security costs.

According to Iyang, the figures warrant urgent scrutiny, particularly in view of the reported N5.41 trillion allocated to defence and security in the 2026 budget.

The group further called for the review of the Tantita Security Services Limited contract and demanded its immediate revocation. It also urged authorities to investigate what it described as N210 trillion in unresolved audit queries involving NNPCL.

Iyang maintained that security considerations should not prevent public scrutiny of government contracts and financial transactions.

“The era of opaque accounting and using security as cover for corruption must end,” he said, rejecting what he described as attempts to portray advocates of accountability as enemies of the country.

He added that Nigerians demanding transparency were concerned about the allocation of public resources at a time when communities across the country continued to face security challenges, including banditry and kidnapping.

The group also announced plans to stage protests in Abuja and pursue legal action to press for an investigation into the pipeline surveillance contracts and the associated expenditure.

“We shall be combining both street protests and legal actions to ensure that the mystery behind the multi-trillion security is unravelled,” Iyang said.

The group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revoke the Tantita Security Services Limited and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) contracts, order a forensic investigation into NNPCL’s energy security expenditure and ensure that any individual found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law, regardless of position or region.

The demands come amid continuing public debate over the cost, transparency and oversight of oil pipeline surveillance contracts, which are intended to protect critical petroleum infrastructure and support crude oil production.