Community leaders along the Eastern Corridor hosting operations of the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) have called on the Tinubu administration to appreciate the sterling performance of PINL in securing the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) by expanding the scope of its operations, in addition to increased funding.
The community leaders drawn from Abia, Bayelsa, Imo, and Rivers States made the call at a world press conference in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
“In recognition of a job well done, we call on the Presidency and all relevant federal agencies to not only renew PINL’s contract but also expand its scope of operations.
“PINL has proven itself as a key partner in the actualization of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in the host communities of the Eastern Corridor and the wider Niger Delta region”, the community leaders stated.
Spokesman of the community leaders, Famous Daunemigha, expressed satisfaction with how PINL is conducting its operations across the various communities.
“We commend the management and staff of PINL for their technical competence in securing this top-grade vital national asset, the TNP and other facilities.
“From the onset of their operations as surveillance contractors in 2022, PINL’s presence and impact have been strongly felt in our communities.
“Beyond direct engagement with community leadership, numerous unemployed youths were provided with jobs in pipeline surveillance roles. This has significantly reduced youth unemployment and enhanced peace and stability at the grassroots level,” he said.
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Daunemigha added that the PINL’s consultations with community leaders, including paramount rulers and chiefs, have made the people claim ownership of the critical national assets within their areas and provided adequate protection for the Trans Niger Pipeline.
He further pointed out that at the start of PINL’s operation, crude oil delivery via the TNP was at zero percent due to rampant oil theft and illegal refining.
But with a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, and in collaboration with government security agencies, PINL tackled the issues head-on.
The leaders also stated that beyond securing the pipeline and engaging the youths, PINL has helped in forging peace within the communities by resolving long-standing leadership and communal conflicts, hence allowing previously excluded communities to become integrated into its operational framework.
They also applauded the corporate social responsibility policy of PINL, saying, “as we address this press conference, forms of empowerment are being circulated in our communities.
