Dr. Jatto’s Panaceas for Niger Delta and Nigeria’s Oil Industry Crises
Enideneze Etete writes on Dr. Jatto’s Panaceas for Niger Delta and Nigeria’s Oil Industry Crises
Obnoxious laws, weak regulatory policy and legal frameworks in Nigeria’s skewed-federalism are among factors that threw up the decades-long crises and instability in the dominant oil and gas sector of its economy.
The federal government and key operators in the industry may pretend that all is well, especially with the relative peace in the Niger Delta, where most of the exploration activities take place, amid environmental degradation and impoverishment of host communities. But the environmental and socio-economic crises are far from over in the Niger Delta.
Thus, an Etsako Edo-born-Niger Delta global scholar, based in the United Kingdom, Dr. Abdul L. Abraham Jatto has proffered panaceas to the lingering problems of the Niger Delta and the oil and gas industry.
Indeed, his intervention in the problems of the Niger Delta and oil and gas crises in Nigeria is timely for a number of reasons.
The author’s motivation stems from the need to fully explore and proffer feasible solutions to the underlying socio-economic issues, poor governance, environmental degradation, and the political intrigues causing vandalisation of oil facilities.
This is in view of the unending incidents of destruction and disruption of operations, besides bunkering and unlawful artisanal production and sale of locally processed products. These acts not only further damage the environment and cause health hazards, but also undermine the monolithic economy.
The supposed illicit acts have usually pitted oil companies and the federal government with its military on one side, against the perpetrators, and sometimes cause collateral damage to the deprived host communities.
In the process, the government and the companies lose revenues, hence they tend to prioritise securing the resources through a joint military task force and pipeline surveillance contracts.
Conversely, while artisanal solid mineral miners have a field day in the North, those of the Niger Delta are dealt with: arrested, products seized and confiscated by the military task force with media displays.
The unabated conflicts and crises scenario is irrespective of efforts made through corporate social responsibility programmes of oil and gas companies. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB), and the Petroleum Industry Act are yet to fully fulfill aspirations of the people.
Rejigging of laws and the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly in a somewhat piecemeal approach, to a semblance of true fiscal federalism, is yet to yield the needed results.
This is more so as obnoxious laws, for instance, Section 44, subsection 3 of the constitution, still expropriate the rights of oil and gas host communities over their natural endowments. Yet, there is no attempt to amend the section because of fear that if amended it could fully empower oil bearing communities and Niger Delta states.
The worrisome trends have persisted not because there are no good policies, laws, ideas and practical solutions suggested by professionals, scholars and environmental rights activists. They are often taken for granted, or political and corporate leaders lack the sincerity and leadership to apply them.
Given the lingering crises, Dr. Jatto, in his book, titled Onshore Oil and Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Insecurity: Vandalism, Threats and Conflicts in the Niger Delta and the Global South, has developed integrative models for security of onshore oil and gas pipeline infrastructure and other related facilities.
He has invented a user-friendly, cutting-edge mobile App that leverages 5th generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and mechanisms, called AiiSecR.
This digital innovation will democratise the processes of surveillance, reporting, quick reponse and analysis of threats to oil and gas facilities. Thus, this digital tool will also tackle organised crime in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria and the global south.
These and other solutions proffered by the author are for the promotion of sustainable use of energy, through effective regulation, inclusion and mutual benefits of all stakeholders.
Comprising 8 chapters of 409 pages, the book, published by Palgrave Macmillan Cham, UK, 2024 under its New Security Challenges series, is an empirical study of seven countries in West Africa. It uses the Niger Delta as a case study, with focus on Bayelsa State, being a main-hub of oil exploration activities.
The book is the outcome of the author’s doctoral thesis in politics at the University of Lincoln, UK; multidisciplinary postgraduate backgrounds in political science, international law, security, business, and cognate experience from more than two decades of lecturing and consultancy, locally and internationally.
His expertise revolves around contemporary political security and resilient infrastructure insecurity, energy policy, regulation, governance, and business strategy.
Dr. Abdul L. Abraham Jatto’s seminal book is billed for public presentation, 10a.m., Saturday, July 12, 2025, at President Goodluck Jonathan Hall in Azaiki Library complex, along Imgbi Road, Amarata-Epie in Yenagoa.
The event facilitated by the International Society of Comparative Education, Science & Technology, Nigeria (ISCEST) in collaboration with Azaiki Institute of Science and Technology (AIST), Yenagoa, will also feature discussions on issues raised by the author.
As the Niger Delta-born global scholar and technocrat, Dr. Abraham Jatto has contributed to the pool of knowledge and panaceas to the crises and insecurity in the oil and gas sector, the call is on stakeholders to see the book as a invaluable resource.
