Mohammed Bello-koko, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, has explained that vessels used for crude oil theft on Nigerian waters are not detected because they turn off their Automatic Identification System (AIS).
The NPA boss told State House correspondents on Tuesday in Abuja that such rogue vessels evade arrest because they switch off their onboard automated identification system which displays the vessel’s position in the vicinity.
Accordibg to Bello-Koko, the authority does not have the required technology to detect the origin or destination of such vessels
Reacting to a recent incident that an oil tanker that illeglly lifted crude oil in Nigeria, evaded arrest, Koko said the NPA is set to procure the technology called the Vessel Tracking Service (VTS) to enable it to identify, locate and monitor all vessels in the nation’s waters.
He noted that the agency has been trying to acquire the VTS for about 10 years now and has just identified a certified consultant, while also working with the Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas (NLNG) Company to help with critical detection.
Furthermore, he assured that the technology will be procured before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’ administration.
Channels Television reports that oil theft has made the headlines in recent times with the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; and Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State demanding the unbundling and privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
Worried by the ugly trend, the Federal Government in August awarded a pipeline surveillance contract to a company led by former militant leader Government Ekpemepulo aka Tompolo, a situation that received criticisms from many Nigerians, including human rights lawyer, Femi Falana who described the response as a “colossal embarrassment” to security agencies in the country.
In August, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, justified the government’s decision to award the multi-billion naira pipelines surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services led by Tompolo.
Tompolo’s firm recently made startling revelations on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta area. He said about 58 illegal oil points have been discovered so far since the operation to end oil theft on the waterways of Delta and Bayelsa states began.