The lawmakers also dismissed three petitions challenging the pipeline surveillance contract, citing the failure of petitioners to appear before the committee to defend their claims. The resolutions followed a one-day parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security and crude oil theft held at the National Assembly on Wednesday. Available data indicate that Nigeria’s crude oil output has risen to about 1.8 million barrels per day as of April 2026, from about 900,000 barrels per day in 2022 before the contract was introduced. As a result, the Niger Delta has witnessed profound agitations over the years, which often resulted in pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal refining activities. Tantita was engaged by the Federal Government in 2022 when oil theft had significantly reduced Nigeria’s production and revenue.

Source: Punch April 08, 2026 14:58 UTC