By Warefa Pereke.
In the complex landscape of Niger Delta discourse, emotion often clouds logic, and ethnic sentiment frequently overrides constitutional reality. Recently, Comr. Preye V. Tambou, a prominent youth activist in the region, released a compelling critique of the current debate surrounding pipeline surveillance, the Amnesty program, and the misunderstood concept of “collective wealth.”
After reviewing Tambou’s insights, it is clear that we are at a crossroads. We must choose between a region governed by structured law or one dictated by the “politics of envy.”
The Contract vs. The Commonwealth.
One of the most profound points raised by Comr. Tambou is the “intellectual fraud” of labeling a Federal security contract as “collective wealth.” We must distinguish between the two:
- Collective Wealth: This refers to public revenue, state budgets, and derivation funds meant for the development of all citizens.
- Security Contracts: These are performance-based agreements awarded to private entities—like Tantita—to protect national assets.
As Tambou rightly argues, you do not share a security contract based on ethnicity any more than the Navy shares its budget with every riverside community. It is a matter of capacity and results.
The Metric of Success: Barrels, Not Tribes.
The ultimate judge of any surveillance framework is its effectiveness. Before the current reforms, Nigeria’s oil production was in a freefall, dipping below one million barrels per day. Today, because of the intelligence networks and local reach of these surveillance firms, the tide has turned.
Tambou challenges us to look at the data: If oil theft is down and production is up, the system is working. To dismantle a working security architecture simply because of the “face” of the contractor is not activism; it is economic sabotage.
Moving Beyond Ethnic Jingoism.
I, Warefa Pereke, join Comr. Preye V. Tambou in calling for an end to the “Ijaw versus the world” narrative. When non-Ijaw firms held similar contracts in the past, there was a noticeable silence. This selective outrage suggests that the current criticism is not about transparency or justice, but about elite competition for a seat at the table.
A Call for Structured Reform.
Instead of calling for the cancellation of contracts that have stabilized our regional economy, our energy should be directed toward:
- Strengthening Oversight: Ensuring every kobo spent on security yields maximum protection.
- Youth Engagement: Expanding training and employment for Niger Delta youths within these existing structures.
- Political Accountability: Holding state and local leaders accountable for how actual “collective wealth” (State allocations) is spent.
Conclusion.
As Comr. Preye V. Tambou poignantly stated, “A society that criminalizes structure and romanticizes chaos will never prosper.” We must support local excellence and demand performance over tribalism. The Niger Delta’s future depends on our ability to celebrate success, uphold the law, and focus on the real enemies: oil theft, environmental degradation, and underdevelopment.
