Nigeria is set for the introduction of a multi-purpose tracking device that would enhance security of people, vehicles, and property as well as improve crime detection and fighting

Already, demands have started pouring for the device, which would be brought into Nigeria and other African countries by UK based firm, FleetM8.

Africa Telecom & IT Business reports that Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of FleetM8, Dr Phillip Tann, said a number of haulage firms are already in talks with FleetM8 to obtain the device just as some prospective customers in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are seeking to acquire it already.

The firm has carried out demonstrations of how the device works for government security agencies, multinationals across sectors, fleet and haulage management companies.

In South Africa, where vehicle theft and car-hijacking is rife, the product is to be deployed by security organs as a tracking device to assist in recovering stolen vehicles just as in Kenya, the authorities think it could be deployed to prevent the frequent hijacking of its postal vans.

In Nigeria, interest has been indicated by the Nigeria Police Force, some government parastatals and multinational oil firms with operations in other African countries to deploy it to fight kidnapping, vandalisation and threat to safety of staff as well as property.

"We have previously visited Nigeria to carry out market research and telecoms experiments. Recently, we have discussed location -based systems with several companies and agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Tann stated"

He said his company will collaborate with some mobile operators that would handle the GPRS side of the technology, noting though that FleetM8 is not fixed to a particular network.

The FleetM8 System is perceived as the world's most accurate commercial vehicle tracking system. It uses patented eM8 Technology which incorporates the use of generic algorithms to reduce Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite signal errors, ultimately allowing an accuracy of less than one metre and the ability to monitor speed to six decimal places.