Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with host communities in the Niger Delta as part of its strategy to combat pipeline vandalism and enhance oil production.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday held at Golden Tulip, Onopa in Yenagoa, the company’s Community Relations Consultant, Dr Akpos Mezeh, highlighted the vital role communities play in ensuring security along pipeline routes.
He noted that PINL aims to achieve zero infractions through continuous engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives such as skill acquisition programmes, medical outreach, and local employment for surveillance guards.
He said, “Today is a day we set aside for our regular interaction and engagement with our host communities, and of course, our host communities have been wonderful in terms of the support they provide in the fight against pipeline vandalism.
“This kind of platform is required for us to come together collectively and appraise our journey so far.
This is one such occasion where we sit down with the communities to appraise our performance.
“The target of the company is to ensure that we achieve zero infractions as well as uninterrupted operation on the Transit Monitoring Project (TMP). The communities have pledged their continued support to ensure that we achieve our target of increased oil production.”
The paramount ruler of the Elebele Community, His Royal Highness David Osene Osene, Ogbenegbe XI, praised PINL for its unique approach to community relations, contrasting it with the perceived detachment of multinational oil companies.
According to him, PINL’s closer engagement with local communities has fostered trust, yielding better security outcomes. He emphasised the importance of companies immersing themselves in the local culture and actively listening to the people to ensure lasting partnerships.
“They have demonstrated differently from the other companies, more especially IOCs and multinationals. They are closer to the people and that is the more reason they are getting positive results. That means they are feeling the impact of the people in the region better than those that are very far from us. So, I give credit to them”, he said.
Similarly, Jonathan Lokpobiri, the president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, commended PINL for integrating community stakeholders into its operations and described the company’s approach as a “wise decision” that acknowledges the importance of grassroots participation in resolving security challenges.
“For PINL to be part of the solution to the issues of insecurity in the Niger Delta, it is not only timely but a wise decision. For me, I give them credit for that. There is no company without people, especially in the context in which they operate.
“Their activities are community based, so, the stakeholders from communities must become their automatic partners. So far, they are doing well in terms of that, and I want to encourage them to do more, engage more people and carry on their Corporate Social Responsibility, at least moving beyond the issue of just stipends and then partnering with people in encouraging young people in education through sponsorship,” Lokpobiri stated.
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