The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has advocated inclusion Chief Ateke Tom and Alhaji Asari Dokubo in the next phase of f pipeline surveillance contracts to avert crisis.
The Niger Delta group noted that involving the two ex-militant leaders in protecting oil assets will give them a sense of belonging ænd douse brewing tension in the region due to their exclusion in the last phase.
Mr Kennedy Tonjo-West, National President of MOSIEND made the position known in a statement issued on Thursday in Yenagoa.
MOSIEND said the duo have been at the forefront of the Niger Delta struggle and have the capacity, capital and manpower to secure the pipelines.
The group also noted that the surveillance contracts would enable the ex-militant leaders to create jobs for a lot of people if they are considered this time around.
The MOSIEND President reminded the federal government that it took the intervention of critical stakeholders to calm the situation the last time the surveillance contracts were awarded.
According to him, these leaders and other stakeholders were left out in the previous phase adding that including this this time around will ensure that nobody will feel sidelined.
According to him, Tom and Doukubo should have the first right of refusal before anything else.
“We urge the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Group Chief Executive of NNPC Ltd., Mele Kyari, and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri to synergise.
“They should liaise with Mr. President to facilitate it because, beyond giving these people this contract, the government should know that this is something that will attract peace to the region.
“It should be given utmost priority. It shouldn’t just be about awarding contracts, but to achieve results which will bring about peace and development of the Niger Delta region.
“And we are hoping that Tinubu’s government will be fair in the distribution of these pipeline surveillance contracts to stakeholders,” MOSIEND stated.
He said that this will correct the impression that the people of the Niger Delta endowed with resources have been relegated.
He urged the Federal Government to consider the proposals of eminent stakeholders of the Niger Delta who have applied for oil blocs to ensure fairness in the ownership of oil assets in the country.
MOSIEND advised the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator to engage the president to give a sense of fairness in the allocation of oil licences.
It will ensure that those from the Niger Delta who have the capacity to explore and crude oil and natural gas can have their space in the oil and gas industry.
The MOSIEND president also urged the federal government to empower local refiners of petroleum products in the Niger Delta to enable them do their businesses legally.
“About 15 percent of the diesel, petrol, kerosene and other petroleum products consumed in Nigeria are produced by these so-called illegal refiners.
“It will be a win-win situation if the federal government issues them licences and empowers them to do their businesses legally.
“This will bring about economic growth in the Niger Delta and also reduce to the barest minimum pipeline vandalism, oil theft and environmental pollution in the region.”