PINL Extends Free Surveillance To Protect Oil & Gas Facilities Near Trans Niger Pipeline
By ESTHER McWILLIS-IKHIDE
PIPELINE Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has announced the expansion of its oil and gas surveillance operations “pro bono” to cover all facilities near the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), in what it described as a commitment to national development and energy security.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting with TNP host communities in Bayelsa, the company’s General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said the move was aimed at strengthening protection of critical national assets through real-time community collaboration.
He revealed that following earlier consultations, Biseni community had been added to PINL’s surveillance network, with plans to include more communities from Sagbama Local Council.
Dr. Mezeh noted that there had been no recorded cases of pipeline vandalism along the TNP corridor, attributing the achievement to effective partnerships between PINL, security agencies, and local stakeholders. He added that this cooperation has led to sustained production in the eastern corridor, increased host community development trust funding, and greater peace and stability in the area.
He also highlighted progress on the company’s Women Entrepreneurs and Empowerment Initiative, targeting 2,000 women and girls across Abia, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa. The programme focuses on financial literacy, small business development, and vocational skills, with data verification currently ongoing.
Leaders from the region, including Ijaw National Congress (INC) President Prof. Benjamin Okaba and Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) President Jonathan Lokpobiri, lauded PINL for its community partnership, corporate social responsibility, and effective engagement in tackling vandalism and environmental degradation.
Yenagoa Local Council Chairman, Bulodisiye Ndiwari, confirmed that the area had not recorded any cases of oil theft or pipeline vandalism in the past two months, crediting PINL’s empowerment and capacity-building efforts.
The Project Monitoring Office of NNPC Limited also pledged continued collaboration with PINL to safeguard national oil and gas infrastructure.
