By Christiana Ekpa
The National Assembly Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources have dismissed three petitions against the pipeline surveillance contract, passing a vote of confidence in Tantita Security Services, security agencies, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The committees said the surveillance arrangement has strengthened the protection of oil infrastructure and contributed to a rise in crude oil production to about 1.8 million barrels per day, up from roughly 900,000 barrels per day in 2022 when the contract was introduced.
The resolution followed a motion by Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Henry Okojie, at a parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security and crude oil theft.
Okojie said the collaboration between private surveillance firms and security agencies has delivered measurable gains in securing petroleum assets and boosting national revenue.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said despite global tensions affecting energy supply, crude oil remains central to global energy needs, particularly in transportation.
He noted that Nigeria had previously lost up to 30 percent of its crude output to theft, but recent efforts involving private operators, security agencies, and host communities have significantly reduced losses and improved production.
Tajudeen, however, called for sustained oversight, stressing the need to address concerns around accountability and ensure the effectiveness of the surveillance framework.
He added that tackling crude oil theft requires a coordinated approach involving government, security agencies, host communities, and private operators.
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