Leaders of Coalition of Civil Society Groups have urged the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, to decentralize pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta.

The demand is coming after the National Assembly passed vote of confidence on Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for its role in boosting oil production.

Leaders of Coalition of Civil Society Groups, at a press conference in Abuja, stated that the move would allow wider participation by qualified contractors across the Niger Delta, promote competition, and improve operational results. They emphasized that several independent firms possess the required technical capacity without conflicting interests.

The Spokesperson of the Coalition, Yahaya Garba, argued that concentrating surveillance responsibilities under connected entities undermines accountability and creates security risks.

The Coalition recommended strict criteria for contract awards, including independent ownership, proven technical capacity, and strong community engagement, alongside regular audits by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPCL monitoring units.

The groups also urged agencies, such as the Department of State Services, DSS, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Army to intensify investigations into alleged misconduct, warning that interference in oil company operations within host communities could further threaten stability in the sector.