Communities playing host to the Trans Niger Pipeline, drawn from Rivers, Imo and Abia States have applauded the management of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for their constant engagement with their host communities
PINL is the surveillance company responsible for securing the Trans Niger Pipeline that exploded recently, resulting in the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, and the suspension of the state governor, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
Community leaders and stakeholders who spoke at the stakeholders forum organized by the firm in Port Harcourt, took turns to commend PINL for doing a good job since they were contracted by the federal government by ensuring that the pipeline has remained free from any infractions except the recent unfortunate incident.
The stakeholders noted that since the takeover of protection of the pipelines by PINL, the TNP trunk line has witnessed improved production running into billions of dollars for the country.
King of Eleme Kingdom, Dr. Philip Obele, in his submission stated that beyond pipeline surveillance, carrying out corporate social responsibility programmes and creating employment by PINL, there is the need for the communities to be treated better by the federal government.
The traditional ruler lamented that most oil companies operating in the region, do not engage the youths which often times leads to pipeline vandalism and illegal oil-bunkering.
Obele called for increased opportunities for host communities, in addition to the provision of social amenities and skills acquisition to better the lives of the people of host communities.
Similarly, the paramount ruler of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee commended PINL for their pro -people disposition and engagement with stakeholders.
The king noted that his domain has recorded zero infractions in the pipelines because of continuous engagement with youths of the area.
He however, called for more participation of the locals in oil exploration activities, stressing that the time has come for the people to own the oil and pay royalties to the federal government.
“I want to say that Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited has done well as it regards to pipeline surveillance and protection.
“But the time has come when locals should control the oil in their communities and that is the position of Ogoni people.
“So, we are asking that the federal government should give us our lines, let us run it, let us exploit the oil and pay royalties to the government,” the monarch said.
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Also speaking, the President of the Movement For the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Kennedy West appreciated PINL, saying that the firm has saved the country billions of dollars by virtue of their surveillance activities.
While commending the company for their continuous engagement with host communities. he called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), to come out plain on their plans for host communities in the region for their years of support and cooperation.
West, who urged communities to continue to put in more efforts in ensuring the safety of the pipelines, challenged the federal government to be fair to host communities.
Dr. Akpos Mezeh, the Community Relations Consultant of PINL, said the essence of the engagement was for the host communities and the company to review their engagement on the security of the pipelines and seek ways of improvement.
According to him, the job of the company depends largely on intelligence from the host communities, hence they were critical stakeholders in the company’s business.
He used the opportunity to commend the communities for the harmonious relationship they had enjoyed from them since they started operations.
