Show IH: From Silence to Signals — Building a Civic Tech Platform to Fight Oil Theft in Nigeria
Hey Indie Hackers đź‘‹
I’m Karo, founder of White Waters Sentinel Systems (W2S2) a civic tech platform I’m building to tackle pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
For decades, communities here have lived with the consequences of environmental degradation and economic sabotage. These aren’t just overlooked crises,they persist because of failed institutions and a lack of political will to act.
The losses are staggering. Billions of dollars in stolen crude. Farmlands poisoned by spills. Rivers and creeks polluted beyond recognition. Gas stations flooded with adulterated fuel that damages car engines and puts lives at risk. Entire communities have been left behind ignored, unheard, and unprotected.
I couldn’t stay on the sidelines anymore. I left the safe path to build something that could give voice to the unheard and accountability to the powerful.
W2S2 empowers locals to report pipeline incidents through:
- 🎙️ Voice alerts from community members
- 🤖 Structured reports and a chatbot interface called Kemi
- đź“Ť Geo-tagged mapping and flashpoint profiling
Each IOC and local oil firm gets a dedicated dashboard, receiving first-hand signals from locals or triggered alerts from our platform, dispatched within seconds to security agencies and government institutions. We’re also integrating satellite imagery and remote sensing to monitor pipeline corridors, detect environmental changes, and validate community reports creating a multi-source intelligence system that’s both community-powered and data-driven.
A test version of the platform is already online, and we’re refining it based on real-world feedback.
It’s still early, but the mission is clear: build a system that turns silence into signals, and signals into action.
I’d love to connect with others building for impact especially those working in civic tech, infrastructure, or emerging markets. Feedback, ideas, or collaboration interest are always welcome.
Thanks for reading and thanks to Indie Hackers for creating a space where builders like me can dream out loud.
https://whitewaterssentinel.org/
