PINL Increases Oil and Gas Surveillance in Host Communities
By Jide Dominic – The Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has increased its operations tagged ‘pro bono’ to include all oil and gas facilities close to the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).
With its primary area of operations on the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline , the company said they decided to provide the free services in the interest of national development.
The General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement of PINL, Dr Akpos Mezeh, made the disclosure while addressing stakeholders from host communities of the TNP in Bayelsa.
Dr. Akpos called on stakeholders to scale up real time information around these critical assets for optimum protection.
“We wish to restate that PINL has taken on the responsibility of providing security for all oil and gas assets close to the TNP “Pro Bono” even though they are not under its current mandate. To this extent, we urge stakeholders to scale up vigilance and real time community intelligence around these assets in the interest of national security, ” he stated.
He further disclosed that following the previous meetings, Biseni community has been included in its operations and engagements while plans are on to include other communities from Sagbama LGA.
In his words, “Acting on recommendations from our last meeting, PINL has granted the inclusion of Biseni and other deserving communities in its surveillance engagements”.
He also said ” recommendations have been submitted to the appropriate authorities for inclusion of more communities that host critical oil and gas assets in the eastern corridor, ” Mezeh stated.
The General Manager gave a rundown of its success story for the month under review.
He emphasized that there was no case of pipeline vandalism in the state and on the entire TNP, attributing the feat to the collaboration between the company, securty agents and community stakeholders.
He noted that there has been sustained oil and gas production in the eastern corridor, increased host community development trust funding and peace in the communities.
Mezeh pointed out that the company’s empowerment for 2000 women and girls from the host communities under the PINL Women Entrepreneurs & Empowerment Initiative has completed data capturing for host communities in Abia, Imo, Rivers and Bayelsa communities.
He explained that the program focuses on small business development, financial literacy, and skills training for women and girls, adding that “Verification of data is ongoing, and beneficiaries will be contacted shortly”.
On the issue of scholarship sheme and youth development, he said it is currently being processed for payment, with beneficiaries expected to receive disbursements by November while new entries from underrepresented communities have also been added.
While responding, some stakeholders at the meeting noted that PINL’s impact was being felt in the host communities.
In his speech, the President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba thanked PINL for recognising the roles of the host communities and the traditional institution in its operations.
Prof. Okaba appreciated the company for maintaining its corporate social responsibility packages for the communities and for the regular stakeholders engagement towards finding solutions to pipeline vandalism in the the area.
“I thank PINL for bringing us here and we urge all of us to support them because as INC and IYC, we have agreed amongst ourselves that we won’t go on violent struggles anymore, we’ll go on civil engagements, “he said.
In his contribution, the President of Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, Jonathan Lokpobiri, commended PINL for confronting most of the problems that have faced communities in the region.
He praised the collaboration between the company and security agencies in addressing issues of environmental devastation.
“I’m happy to acknowledge that PINL has been able to help our communities nip the issues of environmental devastation in the bud through, collaboration and the effort they are putting in by working with security agencies; and other people of goodwill that genuinely care for the Niger Delta environment, ” he said.
The IYC leader commended stakeholders who have supported the company’s activities in ensuring a vandalism-free region.
Also speaking, Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Mr Bulodisiye Ndiwari opined that in the last two months, the area has not recorded any case of oil theft or pipeline vandalism.
He appreciated the company for building the capacity of the region through its skills and empowerment programme for youths and women.
“We want to appreciate you for this women empowerment and for the scholarship scheme that will take off very soon. You are building the capacity of Bayelsans, Niger Delta and Ijaw nation” Odiwari said.
In his goodwill message, the Manager of Project Monitoring Office (PMO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) assured the company that it is in support of their stakeholders’ collaboration in combating pipeline vandalism.
