Oil Output: Lokpobiri Lauds Firm Over Pipeline Surveillance

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has lauded Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for engaging with host communities in its surveillance of the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

Lokpobiri who stated this in Port Harcourt at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by PINL for host communities along the TNP, noted that the inclusion of the communities in surveillance operations had led to increase in oil output.

Represented by his special adviser on host communities, Edi Julius, the minister expressed optimism that with the increase in oil production, the country can meet its target of over two million barrels per day production in 2026.

“Sincerely the minister of petroleum resources appreciates what the communities are doing because without the peace from your domain, I believe production will not be up.

“Today , all of us can testify to the production level and it’s so ambitious for 2026 that we are going to hit the target of 2 million plus barrels per day production. This will bring more money to the government and also, more money to PINL to be able to reach to you. So to

every stakeholder, the IOCs, the community leaders, the youths I want to thank you and thank PINL to continue this engagement and collaboration,” he said.

In his address, Head Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office (PMO), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Akponime Omojevwhe, corroborated the minister’s position, stating that the company has set its targeted crude oil production for 2026 at over two million barrels per day.

Omojevwhe, who said the company’s budget for 2026 is targeted at 2.80mbpd, noted that currently the TNP is producing optimally, and credited it to communities and stakeholders’ collaboration with PINL.

He said: “I want to sincerely appreciate all our stakeholders on this corridor because right now we can see that the TNP is green and what that means is that the products are flowing uninterrupted.

“Secondly, I want to say that our budget for 2026 is targeted at 2.80mbpd and the budget begins from 1.84mbpd while our targeted projection is 2.06mbpd. So we want to say that even as we draw closer to next year 2026, as we have come together to ensure that the projection is going up, we want to crave your indulgence, please don’t relent”.

While highlighting the importance of stakeholders and communities in securing the pipelines, the NNPCL official noted that no private security company can achieve success without their collaboration.

“The communities are vital part of this job. So anytime we find ourselves, we must always appreciate them because the community leaders such as the chiefs, CDCs, youth presidents, women leaders, if they don’t carryout our messages to the community people, there will be nothing like green as far as the pipeline is concerned. So our message is clear, we appreciate you and always assist PINL efforts just as you have been doing,” he added.

In his address, general manager Dr Akpos Mezeh, Community and Stakeholders Relations, PINL, said the meeting gives the company the opportunity to review its progress in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, and also celebrate, fellowship, and appreciate critical stakeholders, especially leaders of host communities for their support and commitment that have sustained the economic stability of the country.