By Lukman Olabiyi
Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection, (CSC-MAP) has attributed increase in proliferation of arm to award of pipeline security contract to ex-militants.
CSC-MAP called on Federal Government to re-trace it step on award of pipeline security contract to ex-militants in order to check proliferation of arm across the country.
Speaking at a rally against award of pipeline security contract to ex-militants, Mr Popoola Ajayi who spoke on behalf of the coalition said, the involvement of ex-militants in oil economic management and distribution is partly responsible for the current fuel scarcity in the country.
He said the coalition would continue the protest to the Presidency, members of Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC), Economic Community for West African States, (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Security Council to ensure Nigeria stops the habit of awarding pipeline protection to people with historic link with terrorism, banditry and rebellion against the Nigerian State.
“We have started building a network with groups across the country and in the West Africa sub region.This is the second of such rallies to sensitise Nigerians on the need to immediately stop the award of oil pipeline contracts to people associated with violence”, Ajayi said.
The coalition said the award of contracts to ex-militants violate international conventions that protect the rights of indigenous people from violence and environmental destruction.
“We have already sent a petition to OPEC to reinforce international standards to ensure pipeline protection is not associated with armed groups and militants in any of the member states. OPEC President should as a matter of fact insist that member states must henceforth stop the award of oil contracts to armed groups”, the coalition insisted