…Raises questions over pipeline surveillance contracts
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the National Assembly to publicly disclose full details of the ₦7.13 trillion recorded as energy security expenditure in the national oil company’s 2024 audited financial statements.
The opposition party said the scale of the expenditure raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and value for money, particularly in light of reports linking pipeline surveillance contracts to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd., a company associated with former Niger-Delta militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC argued that Nigerians deserve a comprehensive explanation of how the enormous sum was spent, who benefited from the contracts, the outcomes achieved, and whether any independent audit or value-for-money assessment was conducted.
According to the party, the ₦7.13 trillion expenditure represents an unprecedented increase when compared to previous pipeline surveillance spending that had generated nationwide debate. The ADC noted that only a few years ago, a pipeline surveillance contract valued at approximately ₦48 billion sparked widespread public criticism, but the latest audited accounts now reflect ₦7.13 trillion under the category of “Energy Security” for the 2024 financial year.
The party estimated that the figure represents an increase of nearly 14,800% over the previous benchmark, adding that when other fuel-related costs and receivables contained in the audited accounts are considered, the total financial exposure rises to about ₦17.5 trillion. It maintained that such a massive increase in expenditure demands a corresponding level of public accountability.
The ADC acknowledged that protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure remains a legitimate national priority, especially in view of the country’s long-standing challenges with crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and production losses. However, it insisted that security-related spending should not be shielded from public scrutiny simply because it falls under national security. “The bigger the Bill, the stronger the obligation to explain it”, the party stated.
The opposition party also raised concerns over what it described as the intersection between public spending and political activities. It pointed out that public reports have consistently identified Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. as one of the major beneficiaries of pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the Federal Government. According to the ADC, the recent emergence of Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as a prominent mobiliser for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign has heightened the need for transparency.
The party said Nigerians are entitled to know whether public funds appropriated for protecting oil infrastructure are being used exclusively for that purpose or whether there is any overlap between government expenditure and partisan political mobilisation. It, therefore, demanded that the Federal Government disclose the cumulative amount spent on pipeline surveillance and energy security since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
The ADC further requested that the government publish the identities of all contractors awarded pipeline surveillance contracts, the amounts paid to each contractor, the specific deliverables achieved under the contracts, and the results of any independent performance evaluation carried out on the projects. Describing its demands as routine accountability measures expected in any democratic society, the party said Nigerians deserve clear answers given the country’s current economic realities.
The party consequently called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Board and Management of NNPCL., as well as the relevant committees of the National Assembly, to immediately publish a comprehensive breakdown of the energy security expenditure contained in the company’s audited accounts. “The question is no longer how much was spent. The question is what Nigeria has to show for it”, the statement concluded.
The Federal Government and NNPCL had not issued any official response to the ADC’s demands as of the time of filing this report.
