The Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas have called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to deploy modern technology, such as drones, for the protection of critical national assets and crude oil pipelines in the country. This appeal comes as the group criticizes the award of a pipeline surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services, a private company allegedly owned by ex-Niger Delta agitator Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.
The group believes that using modern technology would be more effective than the current practice of deploying personnel along the creeks with cutlasses to monitor pipelines. They suggest using drones, sensor activation, and infrared beams to detect pipeline breaches, crude oil theft, and vandalism of critical oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta.
The award of the surveillance contract to a single private company has raised concerns among other stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, leading to calls for the contract to be split among multiple parties. The group emphasizes the importance of avoiding any fresh crisis in the region and ensuring that the allocation of resources is transparent and beneficial to the people.