Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, says it has engaged over 35,000 Niger Delta youths in surveillance and security of critical oil and gas infrastructure, while also contributing to the nation’s fight against oil theft as crude oil losses dropped to a 16-year low.
General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement of PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, disclosed this during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting with host communities along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, in Port Harcourt.
Mezeh explained that the expanded mandate of PINL now covers gas facilities in the Eastern Corridor in addition to the TNP, creating thousands of new surveillance jobs.
“At PINL, while our primary mandate is to secure the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, we have expanded our scope to include other oil and gas facilities, including gas lines in the Eastern Corridor. This expanded operations is a call to duty, and aptly aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“With the recent deployment of additional workers due to the expanded scope, PINL provides direct employment to over 35,000 youths across Niger Delta and oil-bearing communities,” he said.
He applauded the Federal Government’s efforts to mitigate unemployment in the Niger Delta through the surveillance programme, while calling on other tiers of government to provide more opportunities for youths in the region.
Giving a scorecard of operations for the last one month, Mezeh said the company recorded zero infractions on the TNP, uninterrupted operations on the Eastern Corridor, and peace in host communities. He credited the success to collaboration between PINL, security agencies, and local communities.
However, he disclosed that there were attempts to breach the TNP at Bonny and Eteo in Eleme, which were foiled by security operatives, while suspects apprehended in Ikata and Ogbo communities are currently being prosecuted by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.
“While the Federal Government has demonstrated commitment towards mitigating unemployment and poverty through initiatives such as pipeline surveillance jobs, we urge other tiers of government to complement these efforts by providing more opportunities for our youths,” Mezeh added.
Despite successes, Mezeh expressed concern over cases of stakeholder connivance and community leadership disputes, warning that such issues continue to threaten smooth operations. He assured that PINL would continue to work closely with ONSA, NNPCL, and other relevant agencies to resolve these challenges.
Stakeholders from host communities commended the company for its efforts in tackling unemployment and oil theft.
Engr. Orr Sunday Orr, Eleme Coordinator of Ogoni Oil and Gas Host Communities Youths Forum, said: “Ogoni Oil and Gas Host Communities Youths Forum is aware of the Federal Government numerous policies and strategies aimed at safeguarding the pipelines, improving the standards of host communities and increasing oil production and as such, we hereby pass a vote of confidence on PINL as the company with the right strategy in securing the TNP in Niger Delta region and Ogoni in particular.”
Similarly, President-General of Orashi People’s Congress, Comrade Emeni Ibe, lauded the company for employing thousands of youths.
“I want to commend the management of PINL. About 35,000 youths are being engaged in employment, this is a welcome development. The coming of PINL is changing the narratives in our area so I join others to pass a vote of confidence on them,” Ibe stated.
The stakeholders further urged communities to sustain the partnership with PINL and continue to support government security agencies in ensuring uninterrupted oil and gas production.
