By Kenneth Jukpor
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has indicated interest to begin surveillance of pipelines in Nigeria using drones as part of efforts to curb pipeline vandalization.
The NOSDRA Director-General, Musa Idris made this proposal at the 13th OTL Africa Downstream Week, lamenting that over 2000 acts of pipeline vandalism were recorded between 2003 and 2015.
Although the NOSDRA boss lamented that paucity of funds at the agency would be a major impediment to the deployment of drone technology, he admonished private investors to come forward to salvage the situation.
Idris also lamented that the NOSDRA Act had several shortcomings, stating that the agency had initiated plans at the National Assembly to strengthen the Act to give the agency legal force to actualize its mandate and enable it attract requisite funding.
The NOSDRA boss also stressed the need for cathodic protection on pipelines in Nigeria, however he conceded that such method of protection is capital intensive.
Meanwhile, the Group Managing Director, Rainoil Nigeria Limited, Engr. Gabriel Ogbechie stated that most operators in the nation’s oil downstream sector have moved from selling products petroleum products to the logistics because of the subsidy in the logistics.
Ogbechie asserted that petroleum products are cheaper in locations that are rural communities because subsidy goes into the logistics and not the actual products, hence the variance in the cost.
He also harped on the need for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Depots and Petroleum Product Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to work in unison to ensure optimum perfomance of oil downstream sector.
Earlier, the Convener of OTL Africa Downstream Week, Mr. Emeka Akabugo had assured delegates that the 13th OTL Africa would set the agenda for petroleum business, policy and competition in the oil downstream sector.
Akabugo noted that over the past thirteen years OTL Africa Downstream created a rare platform for industry experts, operators in the public and private sectors to network and share thoughts on the best practices, policies, operations and laws to move the industry forward.
“This gathering gives us the opportunity to gain new insights, forge new partnerships, showcase brands, products and services and align operations to suit emerging industry dynamics” Akabogu said.
He observed that global economic challenges have fuelled renewed urgency to diversify operations in order to maximize the sector’s potential.
“This renewed consciousness has resulted in significant investment in key elements of the value chain, indicating a paradigm shift that emphasizes technological evolution, capacity development, supply chain efficiency and value addition”, the OTL convener said.
