Ex-militants from Akwa Ibom State have condemned alleged Federal Government’s award of pipeline surveillance contract in the state to a company owned by a non-indigene.

According to them, the Federal Government’s action is a clear demonstration of marginalisation of the people of the state.

In statement, issued under the aegis of Unyekisong Akwa Ibom and made available to journalists in Uyo, yesterday, the ex-agitators asked the Federal Government to revoke, within a month, the contract and re-award same to them or face grave consequences.

Dede Udofia signed the statement for the group.

The ex-militants claimed the FG was undermining them. According to them, pipeline surveillance contract should be given to ex-militants from the state just as it has been awarded to a former militant leader, Government Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo, from Delta State.

The statement reads: “The Unyekisong Akwa Ibom at the general meeting held on Sunday issued a one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government to immediately terminate the oil and gas pipelines surveillance contract awarded to a company outside the state and re-award same to ex-militant leaders in Akwa Ibom .

“We totally condemn the award of such contract to a traditional ruler who has no business in the creeks; an oil pipeline surveillance contract is not something that should be given to a traditional ruler or political associate as compensation as its effective management would directly impact on the nation’s economy.

“We view the current award of Akwa Ibom oil and gas pipelines surveillance contract to a non-indigene of the state as an affront on our people and tantamount to drumbeat of war in Akwa Ibom State. Akwa Ibom people have been trampled upon by the Nigerian government for so long despite the huge contributions to the nation’s economy but when it comes to sharing, we will be neglected and marginalised because we choose to be peaceful.”

It added: “Our state is the highest in oil production but has been subjected to ill-treatment by Federal Government and oil companies. The most shocking and provoking thing to do is for the NNPC to award oil & gas pipelines surveillance contract in

Akwa Ibom State to a company owned by a non-indigene at the net sum of N138.7 billion naira yearly. This is totally unacceptable and must be terminated with immediate effect.”