Experts Link Oil-asset Security to Increased Youth Employment

For years, many communities in the Niger Delta have struggled with unemployment, poverty and rising frustration among young people, a situation that has often been linked to pipeline vandalism and attacks on oil facilities.

In several riverine communities in Bayelsa State, many youths say that the lack of jobs and limited economic opportunities have pushed young people into illegal activities, including oil theft and vandalism of critical national assets.

But recent efforts by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) are beginning to change the narrative in some communities through youth training, scholarships and women empowerment programmes targeted at vulnerable residents.

The company said more than 1,000 people in Bayelsa State alone are expected to benefit from the ongoing intervention programmes aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods and reducing economic pressure on families.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, the general manager, Community Relations and Stakeholders Management of PINL, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said the company decided to focus more on economic empowerment after concerns over unemployment, rising hardship and youth restiveness dominated discussions with community leaders.

According to him, women empowerment grants have already been distributed to most beneficiaries, while outstanding scholarship payments are also being processed for students in host communities.

“The same resolution process has also been applied to outstanding student scholarship grants. A structured youth training and capacity-building programme is currently being developed to provide sustainable opportunities for our youths,” he said.

For many residents, the intervention goes beyond financial support. Community leaders believe the programmes are gradually restoring hope among youths who previously felt abandoned despite living in oil-producing areas.

In communities where pipeline vandalism once threatened both the environment and local livelihoods, residents say increased engagement with youths and women is helping to reduce tensions and improve cooperation with operators.

PINL also said stronger collaboration among communities, surveillance teams and security agencies has contributed to a drop in attacks on oil facilities.

Mezeh disclosed that no infractions were recorded on the Trans Niger Pipeline in the last one month, a development many stakeholders described as a sign that dialogue and economic support may be achieving what force alone could not.

“We are proud to state that our collective efforts have continued to yield positive results across operational corridors. Incidents of pipeline vandalism have reduced significantly, intelligence gathering has improved, and stakeholder engagement has become more productive and inclusive, with zero infractions recorded in the last month on the Trans Niger Pipeline,” he added.