Niger Delta activist, Asari Dokubo, has disputed claims by investigative journalist Fejiro Oliver regarding the distribution of pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Oliver had, over the past month, alleged via his Facebook page that Government Ekpemupolo’s firm, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, alongside Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited owned by Matthew Tonlagha, receive a combined N2.1 trillion annually—purportedly the largest share of such contracts from the NNPCL.
However, speaking during a live Facebook podcast on March 27, Dokubo challenged the claim, asserting that a company linked to the Olu of Warri—identified as Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL)—earns a higher annual contract value.
According to Dokubo, “The Olu of Warri… gets N2.7 trillion pipeline surveillance contract annually from the NNPCL, while Tompolo… through Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Maton… get a combined N2.1 trillion annually.”
Dokubo maintained that his intervention was not influenced by personal gain, insisting he was speaking out in response to public calls.
“Everything I have in this world, it was Ijaw Nation that made me… I told the President that I was initially interested in the contract when he asked me. I told the President that I will offer assistance to Tompolo, Olu of Warri,” he said.
Reflecting on past tensions, he added, “When I was fighting Tompolo and others, you said I was a traitor, now that I have decided not to fight, you are still calling me a traitor.”
He further stated that he would benefit if the contracts were decentralised but had chosen not to pursue conflict.
“There is no way I will not have benefit, if they decentralize the contract… I told Shoot-At-Sight (Chief Bibopere Ajube) when he came to see me that I am not going to fight,” he said.
Questioning the focus of criticisms, Dokubo said, “Why should the fight be only against Tompolo? Why is it not against the Olu of Warri. I came out to speak, not because Tompolo gave me bribe, but because you have been telling me to speak out.”
The conflicting claims have further stirred debate over the allocation and transparency of pipeline surveillance contracts in Nigeria’s oil sector.
