PRESIDENT-elect Muhammadu Buhari is expected to scrap the pipeline maintenance contracts President Goodluck Jonathan awarded to several militant groups across the country in the run-up to the last election.
In early March, President Jonathan offered former Niger Delta militant leaders and the heads of the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) new contracts to safeguard the country's waterways and oil pipelines. Seen by critics as an election sweetener to get their support ahead of presidential polls, the deal according to sources involved them taking over the duties from the police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to sources close to the deal, those awarded the contracts include Government Tompolo, Mujaheedin Asari-Dokubo and Chief Bipobiri Ajube, Alias General Shoot-At-Sight. Also said to be beneficiaries of the deal are OPC founder Dr Frederick Fasheun and the leader of its other faction Otunba Gani Adams.
Due to take over the reins of government on May 29, General Buhari is expected to scrap the contracts and hand pipeline maintenance back to the security services. Already some highly placed persons in General Buhari’s camp with military and security backgrounds have begun to fashion out ways that would facilitate the process.
It is believed that the man behind the process was a director in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign organisation. His briefs included to liaise with experts in the sector and other people with rich legal backgrounds to work out the template for the new surveillance policy.
When this is completed, the incoming administration will be looking to further equip the Nigerian armed forces, especially the army and navy, as well as the police and the NSCDC and hand them the job of protecting the oil pipelines and other installations both onshore and offshore. Last Wednesday, during his meeting with Rivers State leaders of the APC in Abuja, General Buhari warned that his government will not tolerate an army within the army or a police force within the police.
He also said that he would upon assumption of office reopen the books of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation for proper auditing in a bid to ensure transparency in the oil sector of the economy. Chief Sam Nkire, a member of the APC's board of trustees said that General Buhari would have to tinker with the contracts if they were not properly awarded, adding that the outgoing People’s Democratic Party government had a lot of underhand deals with some groups.
Other areas the incoming Buhari’s regime would look into include the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the agency responsible for the regulation of the activities of shipping, maritime, labour and coastal waters and the Federal Inland Revenue Service. Sources said that the two agencies currently stink with corruption and financial improprieties.
