IYC Clan Women Leaders Reject Pipeline Contract Split, Back Tantita, Urge Unity
By Ndu Samuel
Ijaw Clan Women Leaders across all zones of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) have rejected calls for the decentralization of the pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta, warning that such a move could reverse the gains recorded in oil asset protection and regional stability.
Speaking at a press conference held on April 4, 2026, the women leaders said their position was informed by a deep sense of responsibility to safeguard unity, peace and sustainable development within the Ijaw nation.
Describing themselves as mothers, leaders and custodians of Ijaw heritage, the group stressed that their intervention was not aimed at creating division but at promoting collective progress.
“This is not a message of division. This is not an attack on our own. This is a call to conscience, a call to wisdom and a call to unity,” the leaders stated, warning that no society can advance while being divided against itself.
The women expressed concern over what they described as growing internal tensions among Ijaw stakeholders, particularly over issues that require strategic engagement rather than emotional reactions.
They recalled that crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism once dealt a heavy blow to Nigeria’s economy, with oil production dropping to about 700,000 barrels per day and daily losses from illegal bunkering estimated between 200,000 and 400,000 barrels.
According to them, the narrative changed significantly with the engagement of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited under the leadership of High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
They noted that the community-driven surveillance model introduced by Tantita has led to a steady increase in oil production to between 1.5 and 1.7 million barrels per day, alongside a drastic reduction in crude oil theft, improved pipeline integrity and enhanced local participation.
“The results are not speculative. They are visible, measurable and backed by national data and industry reports,” the group said, adding that communities are now more involved in safeguarding national assets while employment opportunities have expanded for Niger Deltans.
The leaders questioned the rationale behind calls to decentralize the surveillance contract, cautioning that altering a system that is already delivering results could disrupt the current stability.
“Why fix what is not broken?” they asked, emphasizing that the surveillance contract represents only a fraction of broader opportunities within the oil and gas sector.
They urged Ijaw stakeholders to shift focus from internal competition to strategic demands such as ownership of oil blocs, participation in refining, logistics and greater control of economic structures within the region.
The women also commended ongoing reforms in the Presidential Amnesty Programme under its administrator, Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, noting improvements in education, skills acquisition and grassroots engagement.
According to them, the programme is witnessing a renewed phase of transformation, with thousands of Niger Deltans benefiting from empowerment initiatives and training both locally and internationally.
They described Otuaro as a committed leader whose efforts are restoring confidence in the programme and contributing to long-term development in the Niger Delta.
While reaffirming their support for both Tantita and the Amnesty Programme, the women called on all Ijaw sons and daughters to reject division, embrace unity and prioritize collective progress.
They also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sustain support for existing structures while extending opportunities to other leaders and stakeholders in the Niger Delta through additional engagements.
“The future of the Ijaw nation depends not on how loudly we argue among ourselves but on how strongly we stand together,” the statement added.
The press conference was signed by IYC Clan Women Leaders across all zones, who reiterated their commitment to unity, development and strategic advancement in the Niger Delta.
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