According to the Niger Delta activist, there is a “drum of war” in the region amid oppositions on the contract.

Lori-Ogbebor made the demand in Abuja on Monday at a news conference in reaction to the award of N48 billion pipeline surveillance contracts to Tompolo.

According to her, it is the responsibility of government to manage Niger Delta affairs and not individual or company.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s oil pipeline surveillance contract was awarded to Tompolo by the Federal Government amid oppositions.

The N4 billion per month contract was to stamp out pipeline vandalism, oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region.

Reacting to this, Lori-Ogbebor said, “There is insecurity in the country but we should be more worried about that of the Niger Delta.

“I have come here to call on the world to what is happening in the Niger Delta. Today, there is drum of war in the region.

There is show of ammunition without fear; people show them without fear.

“I am urging the Federal Government to withdraw the contract of Tompolo because it is the custodian of this country it cannot leave Niger Delta in the hands of few persons to manage.”

Lori-Ogbebor said that there was need for the full implementation of the Niger Delta Development Commission Master Plan to encourage equity in the region.

She said that the master plan was not being followed in the appointment of managers of the region, saying that there must be an instrument of proper placement and management.

Lori-Ogbebor suggested that the Petroleum Industry Act should be reviewed in such a way that it would not cause problem in Niger Delta.

“This is because part of the act says that government will only give the communities money if there are no hazards to the pipelines.”

Lori-Ogbebor also urged the government to make public the outcome of the NDDC forensic audit report. (NAN)

The group also called for the sack of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva over the award of the country.

The NYC noted that the contract was uncalled for, adding that the regime was promoting militancy with the move.

In a statement on Sunday by the group’s spokesperson, Matazu Yusuf, the council said it would mobilise Northern youths across the country for a massive protest as well as take legal action if the government does not act after the expiration of the given ultimatum.

It partly read, ” We are issuing a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government or its agent to revoke the N4 billion pipeline surveillance contract awarded to ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

A few years ago, Tompolo was declared wanted by the government and today was awarded a contract. This is not reasonable. With this development the amnesty deal by late former President Musa Yaradua aimed at reducing unrest in the oil region is on the verge of destruction by this development.

The government should rather hire the services of Joints Task Force instead of a militant without a clear modus operandi,

We also called for the sack of the Minister of State for Petroleum over the award of the contract.

“If after the given ultimatum, no action is taken, we will mobilise over 20,000 northern youths for a massive protest and afterward challenge the decision in court. ”

Yusuf also accused the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, of allegedly playing the ethnic card by surrendering the surveillance of the nation’s critical infrastructure to militants.

He noted that the group has submitted a protest letter to President Buhari.