The management of the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has approved 646 scholarships slots and other packages for the 215 host communities along its area of operation on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
The gesture is aimed at strengthening the corporate social responsibility objective of the firm.
The Community Relationship Executive Officer of the firm, Seriake Alamieyeseigha, disclosed this at the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The stakeholders meeting which drew participants from communities in Rivers, Abia and Imo States was aimed at reviewing the operations of the company on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
Alamieyeseigha also noted ongoing strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening community relations, security of the local people and empowering of women.
He said: “I bring good news from PINL. Management has approved scholarship for three persons per community bringing the total to 645 persons across board and it is to take effect immediately.
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“Also, management has partnered with the office of the national security adviser, in building a facility to address challenges with regards to investigations and prosecution across the Trans Niger Pipeline.
“Also, there is a proposal for a skill acquisition designed for women that is underway”.
He noted that the company’s collaboration with the host communities have led to significant boost in oil production and called for increased synergy.
“I thank you for this collaborative effort to boost oil production in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“With your collaboration and with your effort, we’ve been able to see economic growth in the nation,” he added.
On his part, the Director of Energy Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, warned against illegal bunkering activities, emphasizing that anyone found guilty of such acts would be prosecuted and imprisoned.
Flag-Amachree, who was represented by Young Amakiri, noted that the office of the national security adviser had already prosecuted over 100 individuals involved in these criminal activities.
He appealed to stakeholders and community leaders to talk the youths to desist from vandalism of oil facilities.
“We want to plead with you to talk to our brothers, we all know these persons involved in these acts. Talk them out of these, it would help, because the business is no longer as usual. It has changed.
“As I’m talking to you, more than 100 persons have been prosecuted. Who you are doesn’t matter, even though you are a general in the army, you are a military personnel, whatever you are, if you are found guilty, you are going in for it,” he warned.
Also speaking, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri hailed PINL for its regular engagement with host communities and discouraging the youths from engaging in illegal bunkering.
The minister who was represented by his Special Assistant on Host Communities, Julius Eddie, acknowledged that the efforts of PINL has boosted oil production in the country and also earned the ministry several high profile recognitions.
“I want to encourage you, what you are doing for the host communities and for Nigeria is a win to all of us.
“Today, because of the solutions you have proffered, illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, has tremendously reduced in the region.
“Because of your efforts, today the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, was listed among the team of influential leaders in policy and leadership direction in Thisday Newspaper and Arise TV.
“I want to encourage and challenge you to continue to discourage the youths from tampering with the pipelines, because in all, we are the victims because the pollution affects the environment and as farmers and fishermen that we are, we are most affected,” he stated.
