PINL Rewards Pipeline Host Communities With N2bn Education Support

Over 1,500 students from pipeline host communities across Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia states have benefited from over N2 billion scholarship grants disbursed by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).

The beneficiaries, drawn from 216 communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and Eastern Gas Network (EGN), received N500,000 each for undergraduate studies and N1 million for postgraduate programmes.

The cheques were presented on Wednesday during the company’s April monthly stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,

Speaking at the event, PINL’s general manager, community and stakeholder relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said the initiative was aimed at appreciating host communities for their support in safeguarding critical oil and gas infrastructure.

According to him, the scholarship scheme was part of the company’s broader commitment to community development aside from ongoing women empowerment and skills acquisition programmes.

“This is our own way of saying thank you to our host communities. The beneficiaries total over 1,500 and we have disbursed over N2 billion,” Mezeh said.

He urged youths in the communities to shun pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, and instead support efforts to sustain the gains recorded in pipeline protection.

“We are appealing to them to provide vital information that will help maintain the current momentum,” he added.

Mezeh further disclosed that improved community cooperation had resulted in zero infractions across the company’s operational areas, expressing optimism that Nigeria could achieve its crude oil production target.

“We are approaching the Federal Government’s projection of two million barrels per day. We have already achieved 1.8 million, and the target is achievable,” he stated.

A beneficiary, Mr Donald Justice, a postgraduate student of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, described the scholarship as life-changing.

“I initially thought it was not real, but the fund has made my programme easier. This initiative is giving hope to people who never thought they could further their education,” he stated.