Nigerian start-up Beat Drone has repurposed its agricultural drones to disinfect communities faster and more accurately in Nigeria in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Beat Drone is a drone service provider that utilises its drones in agriculture, oil and gas, renewable energy inspections, construction surveys, mining surveys, telecommunication tower inspections and power line inspections.

The company said that it had already begun discussions with the Ondo State government to provide its drones.

“Our experience in spraying farmlands all over Nigeria is coming into play here. We have recorded over 20 000 hours cumulatively spraying farmlands of over 30 000 hectares. We knew that we are the most experienced to engage the Nigerian government,” the company said in a statement.

In addition, the government will also be championing the setting up of a drone assembly plant that will be situated in Akure, Ondo State.

The US$1.2-million plant, which is being developed in partnership with Beat Drone, Yuavi and the Ondo State government, will produce more than 3 000 drones to aid in disinfecting all 36 states and the federal capital and to ensure Nigerians can go back to their business activities. 

Nigeria has started a gradual easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, which were implemented on March 30 and resulted in the closure of businesses.

Post-Covid-19, these drones will be used in eliminating mosquitoes that spread malaria, which accounts for 300 000 deaths annually in the country. The government will also utilise the drones on the farmlands to aid increase in harvest yields and reduce costs for farmers. 

The company said it was also engaging other private and government organisations in providing its drones to disinfect their premises. It said this was essential as the lockdown was being eased gradually.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there are 12 486 cases of Covid-19 in Nigeria, with 3 959 recoveries and 354 deaths.