By Jide Dominic, Yenagoa
Inline with its strategic engagement policy with relevant stakeholders in the fight against vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has disclosed plans to partner the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the sensitisation of youths in the region against drug abuse.
The company said the sensitisation would help curb the growing menace of drug abuse and addiction amongst youths in the region which has led many into actions that threaten peace and productivity in the Eastern Corridor.
Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, PINL, stated this at its November stakeholders meeting with host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bayelsa State.
He said the decision by the company followed request by stakeholders at its previous meeting, stressing that the sensitisation will be carried out in conjunction with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He said the training would help to strengthen discipline and patrotism amongst young persons in the region.
“We heard the appeal from our royal fathers regarding drug abuse and youth moral reorientation,” he said, adding that PINL had initiated discussions internally on the launching of a joint awareness campaign with NDLEA to sensitize youths on drug abuse, security ethics, and productive behavior.
“This initiative will help strengthen discipline, patriotism, and responsible conduct among our young people,” he stated.
Dr. Mezeh further informed the stakeholders that it has engaged the services of town criers to ensure proper and timely dissemination of information on activities around the TNP.
The PINL official said their key responsibility would be to enhance communication and intelligence flow around the 215 TNP host communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia States, adding that their engagement was part of key recommendations by the communities at the last stakeholders meeting.
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‎”Two town criers per community; one man and one woman, have been officially launched. Their responsibilities include: disseminating verified information, supporting sensitization efforts, enhancing early-warning intelligence, acting as communication bridges between PINL contractors and community structures,” Mezeh stated.
On security, he said pipeline vandalism attempts reduced by over 87% compared to 2022, stressing; “Our surveillance operations and mandate have been extended to cover all oil and gas facilities in a proximity to TNP.
He attributed the feat to increased stakeholders engagement and collaboration between the company, its contractors and the communities. Dr. Mezeh also informed the Bayelsa stakeholders that Biseni Clan has been fully incorporated into its operations while some other communities have been submitted to the NNPCL and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for consideration and approval.
On its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, the company announced that 2000 women from the communities who are beneficiaries of the PINL SME support scheme have completed their data capturing and account opening formalities and are awaiting disbursement of fund which will be done before the end of the year, while action on the scholarship scheme is 97 percent completed, and disbursement also expected before year ending.
Looking ahead, PINL reiterated its commitment in ensuring adequate protection for the country’s national assets and transparency in all its activities.
“As we advance into the final quarter of 2025, our commitments remain firm to sustain zero pipeline infractions across our corridor, expand youth and women empowerment as strategic drivers of peace and productivity, strengthen collaboration with ONSA, NNPCL, traditional institutions, and security agencies, advocate for the renewal of critical infrastructure, particularly roads affecting operations and upholding transparency and accountability in all projects, from scholarship disbursement to women empowerment,” Mezeh added.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of Ijaw National Congress (INC) Western Zone, His Royal Highness, Chief Theophilus Moses, commended the company for its commitment to community development through its corporate social responsibility programmes and job creation. He pledged the support of INC in curbing oil theft and vandalism in the Eastern Corridor.
“We will support PINL in ending pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the Eastern Corridor. INC will continue to collaborate and work together for the sustainability of jobs creation for our youths, our people in our communities and ofcourse those mini-infrastructures as well as your social corporate responsibilities that’s impacting so well in our communities will be supported at all times,” he assured.
On his part, Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, called on the government and the oil companies to be deliberate about development in the Niger Delta, insisting only that, would bring lasting peace in the region.
“I want Nigeria to understand that all of what’s going on concerning oil and gas is because there is no deliberate effort to ensure developments in the creeks. Those who have the oil are not having sufficient access to the refined product and that’s the problem. Once that’s adjusted, prices will normalize and there will be no need for pollution and breaking of pipelines anymore, ” the monarch said.
Also speaking, the Director General, Bayelsa State Youth Development Centre, Comrade Robert Igali, challenged youths of the state to be development-driven and to maximize the opportunities created by the company such as the scholarship and empowerment schemes to better their lives.
In his speech, Engr. Akponine Omojevwe, Head, Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, urged the communities to maintain their collaboration with PINL to sustain its positive rating and to ensure maximum output on the TNP.
“In as much as their operations is ongoing, from the Project Management Office, we want to plead that the royal fathers, the youth leaders, the CDC chairmen, always give them the maximum support that they need because without the communities and your collaboration with them, they can’t excel,” Omojevwe appealed.
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