By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Assembly has dismissed three petitions against pipeline surveillance contract in the country, describing crude oil theft as a national security threat, not just an economic issue.
This move comes as the National Assembly joint committees on Petroleum Resources passed a vote of confidence on Tantita Security Service, the security agencies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for helping to restore the nation’s oil production.
These developments in the federal parliament followed a motion by Henry Okojie, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), while at a parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security in Abuja.
The National Assembly has dismissed three petitions against pipeline surveillance contract in the country, describing crude oil theft as a national security threat, not just an economic issue.
This move comes as the National Assembly joint committees on Petroleum Resources passed a vote of confidence on Tantita Security Service, the security agencies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for helping to restore the nation’s oil production.
These developments in the federal parliament followed a motion by Henry Okojie, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), while at a parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security in Abuja.
Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen at the hearing said ongoing global energy disruptions, including the Middle East crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, underscore the need to protect Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
He added that the country’s oil remains a critical source of energy, particularly in the transport sector.
According to records, oil output has more than doubled since 2022, increasing from approximately 900,000 barrels per day to 1.8 million barrels per day in April 2026.
The surveillance initiative is reported to have created employment opportunities for Niger Delta youths, reducing criminal activity and fostering community engagement in protecting pipelines.
Legislative reforms, including the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, have strengthened pipeline security by holding host communities accountable for vandalism, reinforcing shared responsibility in safeguarding oil infrastructure.
While acknowledging the successes, lawmakers emphasized that challenges remain in transparency, oversight, and surveillance effectiveness, highlighting the need for continuous reforms to sustain progress and curb crude oil theft.
The Federal Government introduced the pipeline surveillance contract in 2022 to address the nation’s dwindling oil production occasioned by crude oil theft.
The initiative combined private security providers, community engagement, and government security agencies to protect critical petroleum infrastructure.
Tantita Security Service has been a key private operator in the program, tasked with monitoring pipelines, preventing illegal tapping, and restoring security.
