As part of its corporate social responsibility, the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has kick-started the process of empowering 2000 women from communities along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).
The women from the 215 host communities on the TNP covering Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia, and Imo States are to be given business support to boost their small-scale businesses.
The initiative, which is under the PINL Women Employment and Empowerment Scheme, is done in partnership with Premium Trust Bank.
General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement of PINL, Akpos Mezeh, who stated this in a statement on Monday, said the event, which took place at the weekend in Port Harcourt, featured data data-capturing exercise for Rivers, Abia, and Imo States beneficiaries.
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He said the initiative is aimed at appreciating the women for their support in combating pipeline vandalism in their communities.
He explained that four women from each of the 215 communities would benefit from the business support initiative, including mentorship to sustain their businesses, adding that it would run alongside the skills training programme and scholarship for youths.
The PINL official said the grant, which will be paid directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, will be an annual event with professionals already engaged to strictly monitor the progress of beneficiaries, including giving them financial literacy training.
A beneficiary, Francisca Nkechi Okanma from Okohia in Abia State, expressed hope that the empowerment would help them in boosting their businesses and assisting their families.
“We have submitted our BVN, account number. Last month we were here for NIN. We came back for verification to be sure that the details we submitted are ours.
“So, we have submitted everything and we’re waiting for them to empower us so that we can make use of the money and help our husbands to train our children, ” she said.
Also speaking, Bridget Nnadiwe from Mmabele Autonomous Community Ahead East, Rivers State, said if the money is given to her, she would rent a shop to expand her trade.
“If they give me the money, I’ll leave my kiosk and rent a shop and buy more goods,” she said.
Mezeh said more women from the 215 communities would also benefit from the programme, which has been planned to run annually.
He urged the beneficiaries to judiciously manage the funds to boost their various businesses and improve their standard of living.
He restated the commitment of PINL to positively impact the host communities of its operations, thereby encouraging them to stay away from oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
