Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, has introduced a new community-driven communication system that deploys local town criers to strengthen real-time security awareness and intelligence gathering along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP.
The General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, announced the measure during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting with host communities in Port Harcourt, noting that the initiative was recommended at the previous engagement and has now been fully adopted.
He said two town criers, one male and one female, have been engaged in every host community to disseminate verified information, support sensitization efforts, and enhance early-warning systems across the corridor.
According to Mezeh, “the introduction of the town criers is already improving the flow of communication across the 215 host communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia States,” a development he said is strengthening PINL’s mandate to maintain uninterrupted production on the TNP.
Providing operational updates, the PINL executive disclosed that the company recorded zero infractions along the Eastern Corridor in the past month, enabling continuous production and boosting crude oil and gas output.
He further revealed that attempted vandalism has dropped by over 87 percent compared to 2022, attributing the improvement to expanded surveillance operations and growing trust among PINL, traditional rulers, youth structures, and community contractors.
Mezeh added that community-generated intelligence, previously just 10.5 percent of all security information, has now surged to 68 percent, describing it as evidence of a “significant deepening of local cooperation and shared responsibility.”
On corporate social responsibility, he reported that 2,000 women enrolled in PINL’s SME support programme have completed data capture and account opening, with disbursement expected before year-end. He also noted that the company’s scholarship scheme is 97 percent completed, with beneficiaries set to receive their awards shortly.
Looking ahead, Mezeh said PINL will continue prioritizing zero infractions, strengthening collaboration with government agencies, expanding empowerment opportunities for youths and women, and advocating for the rehabilitation of access roads essential to pipeline operations.
Traditional rulers and community leaders commended the company’s engagement model.
The King of Ahoada Kingdom, His Majesty Noble Uwoh, praised PINL’s “consistent engagement, transparent feedback mechanisms and empowerment programmes,” describing them as exemplary.
The Paramount Ruler of Owaza Community in Abia State, HM Eze Obioma Nworgu, urged the company to create more job opportunities for local youths and intensify support for infrastructure development.
In Eleme, once a hotspot for vandalism, Akpajo CDC Chairman, Mr. Oliver Nwidag, said security has improved dramatically since PINL assumed responsibility for protecting the TNP.
Also speaking, the Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor, PMO-NNPCL, Engr. Akponine Omojevwe, appealed for sustained community cooperation, especially during the Yuletide season when security risks are typically higher.
