By Paul Williams
Host communities along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) have commended the operations of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the company tasked with securing pipelines in the area.
Representatives of 215 communities along the corridor – from the four states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia and Imo – made up mostly of traditional rulers and elders, met in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to assess the performance of PINL with regards to its contract to secure the pipelines.
The representatives, coming under the aegis of Pipeline Host Ethnic Nationality Leaders of the Eastern Corridor, comprising leaders from the 215 communities along the corridor, noted that PINL’s operations have restored hope in their communities.
They further lent their voices to the call on the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to direct the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, to not only renew PINL’s contract but expand the contract scope beyond pipeline security to other areas.
Their call comes amidst agitations by some groups in the Niger Delta region alleging marginalisation by the firm and other sundry issues.
The community leaders maintained that PINL is the only surveillance company that has shown its host communities sufficient respect through monthly engagement, employment and empowerment.
Famous Daunemigha, spokesman of the group, while speaking on behalf of the host community leaders, said; “We are pleased to declare, as many others have, that we are highly satisfied with the manner in which PINL is conducting its operations across our various communities”.
Highlighting the impacts of PINL’s operations, Daunemigha noted that from the onset of their operations as surveillance contractors in 2022, the company’s presence and impact have been strongly felt in their communities, adding that beyond direct engagement with community leadership, numerous unemployed youths have been provided with jobs in pipeline surveillance roles which admitted has significantly reduced youth unemployment and enhanced peace and stability in the communities.
He added that PINL has maintained close consultations with community leadership, including paramount rulers, chiefs, Community Development Committee (CDC) chairmen, youth, and women leaders, making the communities to take ownership of the TNP for maximum protection.
The leaders noted that at the start of PINL’s operation, crude oil delivery via the TNP was at its lowest due to rampant oil theft and illegal refining, stressing that with a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, and in collaboration with Government Security Agencies (GSAs), PINL, tackled the issues head-on, boosting the delivery of crude oil through the TNP to nearly 100%, with near-zero infractions.
The community leaders also pointed out that PINL’s operations have restored their environment as the cases of soot usually experienced as a result of illegal bunkering has drastically reduced.
They said; “With its rapid response teams and technical capabilities, PINL has promptly addressed pipeline damages that would have otherwise caused environmental disasters.
“Its zero-tolerance approach towards vandalism and sustained war against vandals and Kpo-fire operators has drastically reduced environmental pollution, especially the elimination of soot caused by Kpo- fire activities. Communities once plagued by this pollution now enjoy cleaner air and a healthier environment”.
The community stakeholders also acknowledged PINL’s corporate social responsibility packages such as scholarships, empowerment for women, provision of relief materials to the 2022 and 2023 flood victims amongst others.
The community leaders however, urged PINL to sustain and expand on its innovations, particularly the monthly stakeholder engagements and its inclusive community development policies.
It added: “In recognition of a job well done, we call on the Presidency and all relevant federal agencies to not only renew PINL’s contract but also expand its scope of operations. PINL has proven itself as a key partner in the actualization of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in the host communities of the Eastern Corridor and the wider Niger Delta region”.
Also speaking, President of the Movement for the Actualisation of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, MOSIEND, Kennedy West, said due to the operations of PINL, communities now sees the pipelines as their own which he noted has led to improved revenue for the country.
“Everybody sees the pipelines as their own that’s why there is improved revenue. What we urged government to do is to expand their scope of work and make more funds available because as we meet them monthly, more challenges are seen and needs more resources to tackle,” West added.
President-General of the Niger Delta Progressives Alliance (NDPA), Victor Udoh, noted that the barrage of media attacks against PINL shows that the company is doing well above other contractors in the region.
“The attack on PINL is because they are exceptional in their operations. They are not only been able to maximise profit but also redeemed the communities that’s why the attack from other contractors,” Udoh said.
He noted that the media attacks against PINL won’t cause disaffection in the host communities as they are satisfied with their operations.
