Host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and stakeholders from Rivers, Imo and Abia states have commended Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the surveillance company responsible for securing the TNP, for the services they have been rendering since they were contracted by the federal government.
The stakeholders noted that since the takeover of the pipeline protection by PINL, the TNP trunk line has witnessed improved production running into billions of dollars for the country, as the line has recorded zero infractions except for the past weeks.
They gave the commendation at a stakeholders engagement organised by the firm in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Speaking at the event, the paramount ruler of Eleme Kingdom, Dr Philip Osaro Obele, stated that beyond pipeline surveillance, carrying out corporate social responsibility programmes and creating employment by PINL, there is need for the communities to get a fair treatment from the federal government.
Obele lamented that most oil companies operating in the areas didn’t engage their youths, which most times led to pipeline vandalism and illegal oil-bunkering.
He called for increased opportunities for the host communities, provision of social amenities and skills to better the lives of the host communities.
Also speaking, the paramount ruler of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee, commended PINL for the engagement and noted that his domain has recorded zero infractions in the pipelines because of continuous engagement between them and youths of the area.
Nnee, however, said there is a need for more participation of the locals in oil exploration.
In his welcome speech, PINL’s community relations consultant, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said the essence of the engagement was for the host communities and the company to review how they have faired on the security of the pipeline and seek ways of improvement.
Mezeh noted that the company’s job depends largely on the intelligence of the host communities; hence, they are critical stakeholders in the company’s business.
He commended the communities for the harmonious relationship they had enjoyed from them since they started operations.
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