Stakeholders praise community engagement strategy for pipeline protection
Oil and gas infrastructure in Nigeria’s Niger Delta is now properly secured with improved oil output following Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited’s (PINL) takeover of pipeline protection, according to key industry stakeholders.
The Director of Energy Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, confirmed that Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and other stakeholders have seen significant production improvements since PINL assumed security responsibilities. This success is largely attributed to constant engagement with communities hosting the Trans Niger Pipeline.
“I want to personally appreciate PINL for the work they are doing. It was a mandate that was given to them by the president to secure the pipelines, and with your collaboration, what we are seeing today is impressive,” said Flag-Amachree, represented by Young Harry Amachree at a stakeholders meeting.
The Head of Field Operations for NNPCL’s Eastern Corridor, Engineer Akponine Omojevwe, echoed these sentiments: “From what we have observed, a lot has really changed. If we look at the tender receipts of 2 years ago, there are lots of improvement.”
Dr. Kennedy West, President of the Movement for the Emancipation of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, expressed confidence in PINL’s approach, calling for an upward review of their contract “so that there will be financial boom within the communities.”
PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, emphasized that the company’s mandate has been achieved through community engagement, social investments, and efforts to restore environments previously destroyed by crude oil theft, resulting in near-zero infractions on the pipeline.
Source: orientalnewsng.com
