Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a major boost to education and community empowerment in the Niger Delta, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, has approved a total of 645 scholarships for its host communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The announcement was made during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ engagement forum in Port Harcourt, which brought together community representatives from Rivers, Abia, and Imo states to assess operations and strengthen partnerships on the TNP corridor.
“I bring good news from PINL. Management has approved scholarships for three persons per community, bringing the total to 645 persons across board. It is to take effect immediately,” said Seriaki Alamieseigha, PINL’s Community Relations Executive.
Beyond scholarships, Alamieseigha disclosed that PINL has entered a strategic partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, to tackle pipeline-related crimes and strengthen investigative capacity.
“Management has partnered with ONSA to build a facility to address challenges with investigations and prosecution across the TNP. There is also a proposal for a skill acquisition programme specifically designed for women.”
Alamieseigha lauded the collaboration with host communities, attributing the improvement in oil production to their support. “With your effort, we’ve seen economic growth. This is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Young Harry Amachree, representing Director of Energy Security, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, warned communities against shielding vandals.
“More than 100 persons have already been prosecuted. Who you are does not matter, military or civilian. If you’re found guilty, you’re going in for it. We plead with community leaders: talk to your children and relatives to desist from this act. It’s no longer business as usual.”
The federal government also weighed in on the meeting, as Julius Eddie, representing the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, commended PINL for regular engagements with host communities and helping to reduce illegal oil bunkering, known locally as kpofire.
“Because of the solutions you have proffered, kpofire has tremendously reduced. Your efforts have boosted production and earned the Minister national recognition. I urge you to continue discouraging youth from pipeline tampering. In the end, it is we, the farmers and fishermen, who suffer the environmental consequences.”
Also present was Engr. Akponine Omojevwe, Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office at NNPCL, who cautioned against internal sabotage.
“To PINL subcontractors, I say: be careful. Most of our problems stem from connivance and poor vetting. Do proper background checks before employing from the communities. If not, you will suffer the consequences.”
The forum provided a platform for community stakeholders to commend PINL’s efforts, raise concerns, and recommend further actions to improve synergy and ensure sustainable development along the TNP.
