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Tag: Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited

  • Oil theft: PINL deploys town criers to curb vandalism on TNP corridor

    Oil theft: PINL deploys town criers to curb vandalism on TNP corridor

    Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has launched a community-based communication initiative that deploys local town criers to strengthen real-time security awareness along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

    The General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, announced the initiative during the company’s monthly stakeholders meeting with host communities in Port Harcourt.

    He explained that the engagement of two town criers—one male and one female—in each community was recommended by stakeholders at the previous meeting and has now been formally adopted.

    Mezeh said the town criers would play a central role in disseminating verified information, supporting ongoing sensitisation efforts, and enhancing early-warning intelligence.

    Their introduction, he noted, was already improving the flow of communication across the 215 host communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, and Abia States, ultimately supporting PINL’s mandate to maintain uninterrupted production on the TNP.

    He added that attempted pipeline vandalism had dropped by more than 87 percent compared to 2022, a result driven by expanded surveillance operations and growing trust between PINL, traditional rulers, youth structures, and community contractors.

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    The King of Ahoada Kingdom, His Majesty Noble Uwoh, described the company’s model as exemplary, noting that its consistent engagement, transparent feedback mechanisms, and empowerment programmes have inspired similar people-centered approaches among other organisations.

    The Paramount Ruler of Owaza Community in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, HM Eze Obioma Nworgu, called for additional employment opportunities for youths and further support for local infrastructure, while urging continued collaboration to safeguard the pipeline.

    In Eleme, an area previously plagued by frequent vandalism, Akpajo Community Development Committee Chairman, Mr. Oliver Nwidag, said the situation had changed dramatically since PINL assumed responsibility for pipeline protection.

    Also speaking, the Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office (PMO) of NNPCL, Engr. Akponine Omojevwe, commended the collaboration between PINL and its host communities.

  • PINL kicks-off business support scheme for 2000 host community women

    PINL kicks-off business support scheme for 2000 host community women

    Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has kicked off the process to empower 2000 women from communities along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

    This is in line with the Firm’s Corperate Social Responsibility(CSR), policies to its host communities.

    The women were drawn from the 215 host communities on the TNP covering Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia and Imo States are to be given business support to boost their small scale businesses.

    The initiative is under the PINL Women Employment and Empowerment Scheme is being carried out in partnership with Premium Trust Bank.

    The General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholdsrs Engagement of PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, who spoke during the data capturing exercise for Rivers, Abia and Imo beneficiaries; held in Port Harcourt yesteray, said the initiative is aimed at appreciating the women for their support in combating pipeline vandalism in their communities.

    He explained that four women from each of the 215 communities would benefit from the business support initiative including mentorship to sustain their businesses, adding that it would run alongside the skills training programme and scholarship for youths.

    “Today is a day set aside by the company to say thank you to the women. The women play a critical role in the fight against pipeline vandalism because our operations are intelligence driven. The women have supported us in different ways by providing viable information with which we use to wage this war against crude theft.

    “The women are from the host communities where we have our operations. From every community we are giving business support grants to four women totaling 215 communities. This is to complement the scholarship program and the skill acquisition program that is going on simultaneously,” Mezeh added.

    The PINL official said the grant which will be paid directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries will be an annual CSR with professionals already engaged to strictly monitor the progress of beneficiaries including giving them financial literacy training.

    Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to the media at the verification/screening exercise expressed hope in the project, and lauded PINL for taking issues of CSR to its host communuties seriously.

    Speaking, Francisca Nkechi Okanma from Okohia in Abia State expressed hope that the empowerment would help them in boosting their businesses and assisting their families.

    “We have submitted our BVN, account number. Last month we were here for NIN. We came back for verification to be sure that the details we submitted are ours. So we have submitted everything and we’re waiting for them to empower us so that we can make use of the money and help our husbands to train our children, ” she said.

    Also speaking, Bridget Nnadiwe from Mmabele Autonomous Community Ahead East, Rivers State, said if the money is given to her, she would rent a shop to expand her trade.

    “If they give me the money, I’ll leave my kiosk and rent a shop and buy more goods,” she said.

  • Stakeholders hail PINL’s collaborative strategy for pipeline protection

    Stakeholders hail PINL’s collaborative strategy for pipeline protection

    …firm appeals for more support

    Stakeholders at a one-day appraisal meeting of oil and gas host communities and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) have attributed the positive results recorded on the facility to the effective collaborative approach of the company with relevant communities.

    PINL is the contracting firm providing security for Trans Niger Pipelines.

    The engagement held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was attended by participants from the four Niger Delta states that host the pipeline; they are, Rivers, Imo, Abia and Bayelsa.

    Participants at the event are Traditional leaders, civil society groups and government representatives, particularly the NNPC and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    Speakers at the event hailed PINL for always carrying host communities along, by way of consistent engagements and briefings.

    They noted that they have not experienced such a level of inclusiveness in the history of their communities, oil and gas production and managers/operators of the same in their localities.

    The people insisted that the approach of routine stakeholders’ engagements of PINL is the reason for the major achievements being recorded in the fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

    In his contribution, the King of Eleme l, Philip Osaro Obelle, said:  “PINL, you’re doing something unique through frequent communication. When you keep people in the dark, they speculate negatively. I must commend you for this interaction with stakeholders.”

    He, however, raised an environmental concern when he said, “What if the earth begins to quake in the Niger Delta when oil and gas companies are gone? The vacuum that is left in the ground after oil is being drilled — are they filling it back?”

    Also, the President of the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Kennedy Tonjo-West said: “I commend PINL for doing a wonderful job in protecting the Trans Niger Pipeline across 250 communities in the Niger Delta.”

    A representative from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Young Harry Amachree, stressed the national implications of vandalism, “We must join hands to move this country forward. Vandalism affects all of us because it affects the nation’s economy. We commend PINL for working 24/7 to protect the pipeline.”

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    Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Community Relations Consultant of PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, explained that the essence of the engagement was to reflect on the journey so far and strategise for future success.

    “The essence of today’s meeting is for us to appraise our journey so far. We all started the journey together, and it’s only proper that we come together from time to time to assess whether we are making progress or not.”

    “PINL’s mandate to protect the Trans Niger Pipeline has been achieved through engagements with the host communities. This collaborative approach has not only led to stronger relations but also forged a united front against pipeline vandalism.”

    Mezeh outlined PINL’s achievements, including social investments based on needs assessments, environmental restoration, and improved crude oil production.

    “We have achieved near-zero infractions on the Trans Niger Pipeline. This has boosted investor confidence in our economy and led to increased national revenue,” he said.

    He also highlighted factors driving the company’s success, including timely salary payments to surveillance guards, commitment to community welfare, and prioritisation of workers’ safety.

    “We are passionate about the safety of workers and the people living in our host communities,” he added.

    However, Mezeh noted that challenges remain, particularly in prosecuting arrested criminals and community leadership tussles.

    “One of our challenges has to do with the prosecution of arrested criminals. Also, leadership tussles in some communities affect progress. I want to appeal to our community leaders not to see the struggle for positions as a do-or-die affair,” he warned. “We also need to address stakeholder and community connivance in pipeline damage.”

    The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to continue fostering partnerships aimed at sustaining peace and development in oil-producing communities.

    Awards were given to sub-surveillance firms securing areas that suffered no form of infraction within a period under review to encourage, promote hard work.