Firm Empowers 3,000 Pipeline Host Community Women In 4 Niger Delta States

A private security firm, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) responsible for the protection of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and the Eastern Gas Network (EGN) has empowered 3,000 women from 216 communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia States.

The women were given cheques ranging from N250,000 to N1,000,000 through the empowerment scheme, intended to boost their businesses and financial income.

After presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries at the company’s monthly stakeholders’ engagement in Port Harcourt, the general manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said the gesture was another way the company appreciates members of host communities for their continued support.

Mezeh stated that the empowerment resonates with the company’s core values, which hold that communities come first in her operations.

He used the avenue to counsel youths in the host communities to shun vandalism and other vices and to take advantage of the many opportunities provided by the company to better their lives.  ‎

‎”Today is yet another day for us to reward our communities. They have supported us unreservedly in the fight against pipeline vandalism, and it’s clear that we are succeeding in that direction.

“So today’s exercise was another way of saying thank you to the communities. I want to take this opportunity to urge our community’s youth to continue supporting us in the fight against pipeline vandalism.

“They should shun any kind of vices and ensure that the communities are peaceful, ensure that production continues to increase for the benefit of the country and the communities,” Mezeh said. ‎

‎The general manager stated that the company was determined to ensure that the beneficiaries succeed in their respective businesses, noting that a monitoring mechanism has been put in place to track their progress.  ‎

‎He informed the stakeholders that the company was winning the war against pipeline vandalism as it recorded zero infractions on the TNP and EGN in their areas of operations in the outgoing month.  ‎

‎”We are having zero infractions on the pipeline in our area of operation. There will be no incident, and that shows that we are winning the fight against pipeline vandalism.

“We want to attribute this success to the communities who have been cooperating with us,” Mezeh said. ‎

Speaking at the event, the traditional ruler of Emohua Kingdom in Rivers State, Eze Sergeant Awuse, who recalled that the company had last month rolled out a youth empowerment programme, expressed deep satisfaction with the company’s operations.  ‎ ‎

“Last sitting, you rolled out a scholarship for our youths, and today, you have rolled out women’s empowerment. We also owe you thanks for securing the infrastructure that feeds this nation. Your company has, in a very significant way, made it possible for more oil to flow with less vandalism,” Awuse said.  ‎