A group, Warri Urban Security Network(WUSN), has berated those sponsoring a fictitious body that goes by the name, ‘National Awareness Forum (NAF), to dent the good reputation of Pipeline Infrastructures Nigerian Limited (PINL), describing the allegations made against the firm as false, baseless and unfounded.
Reacting to online media reports by NAF calling for the termination of pipeline security contract awarded PINL, in a statement, WUSN urged the public to discountenance the report as there was no iota of truth in the claims made by the faceless group to tarnish the good image built by the security firm over the years.
In the statement signed by Chief Frank Onoriode and Barrister Dafe Okpako, Chairman and Secretary respectively, WUSN expressed the need to set the record straight, inorder to correct the falsehood being peddled by the sponsors of NAF publications to discredit the remarkable performance of PINL in securing the nation’s critical assets within its areas of responsibility across the country.
The Security Watch group that had been at the forefront of advocacy for a secured Warri metropolis in the last ten years, noted that it decided to correct the false allegations made by those behind NAF publication based on the determination not to compromising security of oil facilities within its coverage area for the selfish interest of a few.
The statement read in part; “The attention of the Warri Urban Security Network(WUSN) has been drawn to a sponsored online publication by a fictitious group, ‘National Awareness Forum (NAF)’ calling for revocation of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Pipeline Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL), and wish to categorically set the record straight, particularly in areas where we felt the publication presented false claim from an uninformed perspective.
“While we initially wanted to ignore the said publication because the issues raised were not only laughable but lack credibility in all its ramifications, we have however decided to correct certain wrong impressions made inorder to disabuse the minds of the public by setting the record straight for a better understanding.
“First, we wish to make it clear that contrary to claim of increasing rates of pipeline vandalism in parts of Rivers and Imo states where the surveillance contract to PINL covers, this is a false claim as we have it on good authority that the security outfit had kept activities within its areas of responsibility under check and the records are there for verification.
“On the claim that the Trans-Forcados Pipeline in Delta State had witnessed series of attacks in recent time, we also object to this, as it had become evident that some criminal elements had been sponsored by some individuals equally handling pipeline surveillance in the region inorder to create the wrong impression that PINL cannot measure up.
“Contrary to the report, the TFP remained the most reliable pipeline within the western corridor with minimal downtime recovery factor of over 98 percent. It is also important to note that the availability of pipeline is attributed to PINL robust deployment and technical prowess.
“As a security watch group that had operated within Warri area in the last one decade, we can attest to the fact that PINL had done creditably well, particularly with its intervention in curbing pipeline vandalism and oil theft which has changed the narrative hitherto to the wanton theft of the past.
“The NNPCL renewal of PINL contract had also laid credence to the fact that PINL had succeeded and as one of Nigeria most reputable Oil and Gas Asset Protection Company with the innovations and dynamism it’s bringing to bear in achieving this feat.
“We want to remind those behind the sponsored report that in 2022 reports showed PINL carried out stealth operations and arrest of notorious bunkerers within the hotspot region with over 188 arrests made so far, 148 persons prosecuted while 59 persons have been convicted and remanded in prisons, a milestone deserving commendation.
“For the purpose of educating the public more, it is on record that PINL intercepted and destroyed over 43 large cargo boats in Zone 1 and 2 , and several vehicles and motor cycles also interdicted in Zone 3, 4 and 5.
“PINL intervention in protecting, maintaining of the Trans Niger Pipeline, (TNP) in the Eastern corridor is yielding appreciable results thereby contributing to the Gross Domestic Earning and rise in oil production.
“The TNP corridor network conveys and produced hydrocarbons from eastern Niger Delta region assets to Bonny Oil and Gas terminal.
“In an obvious demonstration of its achievements and successes recorded in the sector, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited & JV Partners in 2022 renewed its scope of work.
“Parts of the scope includes the provision of maritime security services, provision of maritime logistics, provision of security logistics including tugboat and speed boats, pipeline repair and maintenance (excluding sectional replacement of sections of the pipeline.
“Others are Host Community engagement, pipeline security and surveillance, progress report and photographs, periodic maintenance of right of way in the service area, provision of manpower and personnel, and administration of the services.
“As one of the giants in the sector PINL has carried over 99 percent deployments of assets across the various sections of the TNP. It has also completed pipeline security asset deployment of houseboats, Rapid Response Boat (RRBs), military camps, operational Hilux and patrol boats to provide security over watch at their respective dedicated pipeline asset location from Zone 1.9.
“The massive deployment efficiency of PINL saw the successful destruction of illegal refinery, arrest of pipeline vandals along the TNP prow, confiscation and burning of impounded vehicles and boats among other successes.”
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