EMMANUEL NLEWEDUM, Port Harcourt
Pipeline Surveillance firm, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, has been applauded by the office of the National Security Advice, NSA, for constantly engaging with stakeholders from communities hosting the Trans Niger Pipeline.
The PINL also recieved commendations from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and prominent stakeholders from its host communities and oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region.
Director of Energy Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree who spoke at a continued stakeholders engagement organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited for stakeholders Abia, Rivers and Imo States host communities, held at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt on Thursday hailed the firm for not only showing commitment in security the Trans Niger Pipeline, but for also “impacting immensely on many lives.”
Flag-Amachree, represented by Mr Young Harry Amachree, at the stakeholders meeting to appraise the company’s operations on the TNP commended the company for effectively carrying out the mandate given to it by the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Explaining why the issue of pipeline security should be of utmost concern to everyone, Flag-Amachree said all hands must be on deck in securing the nation’s critical assets, stressing that whenever the country’s treasury is affected through vandalism it affects everybody.
He called for concerted efforts by all communities and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the common goal of achieving zero infractions on the pipelines is achieved.
He also urged the communities not to hoard information that could lead to the arrest of vandals in the various localities, adding that the government is committed to ensuring security for all citizens.
“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 and what we are seeing today is impressive.
“This is a meeting of appraisal and I have listened to everyone and everyone is thinking the same as my thought and I want to say PINL thank you for a job well done.
“When it comes to securing the pipelines , everyone of us must put our hands together to achieve our common goal,” he said.
He further warned that perpetrators of pipeline vandalism will not go unpunished as the Office of the National Security Adviser has set up an investigation and prosecution team to prosecute vandals.
“We have prosecuted more than 100 suspects as of today and some are serving prison terms.
“The team are working 24 hours to make sure that those involved in this illegal activity are dealt with according to the law.
“So I’m giving you the assurance that whatever information you have about these vandals, please don’t hesitate to call our attention to apprehend them,” he stated.
On his part, Head Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office (PMO) of the NNPCL, Engr AKPONINE OMOJEVWE, noted that there has been so much improvement in terms of output since PINL took over protection of the pipelines.
He however called on the communities and subcontractors to collaborate more with the company to achieve maximum results.
“So from our side, we are saying that for PINL to do very well, it depends on you also.
So, it must be a collaborative effort, everybody is involved so long as this surveillance is involved.
“So, we also appreciate you because, 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 improvements so we can say that you have done well and we appreciate you but also urge you to put in more effort,” he stated.
Also speaking, President of the Movement for the Emancipation of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, MOSIEND, Dr Kennedy West, passed a vote of confidence on the activities of PINL.
He said it was rare to see companies operating in the region giving host communities the opportunity to air their views on issues affecting them.
West said that with such conversations, pipeline vandalism would be a thing of the past in the communities.
He also called for an upward review of the PINL contract online with current realities to benefit more communities.
“I want to thank PINL for bringing people from 215 communities within the Trans Niger Pipeline to discuss what used to be wrong and I want to say, PINL you are getting it right.
“Not only that you have our thumbs up but we are using this medium to reiterate a vote of confidence on Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited.
We are not just saying that but we are using this medium to also call on NNPCL to do an upward review of the contract based on current realities so that there will be a financial boom within the communities,” he stated.
A paramount ruler, King Philip Osaro Obele, the Oneh-Eeh Eleme, Rivers State in his submission called on the Office of the National Security Adviser to look into the plight of host communities, especially Eleme, adding that the communities are suffering so much from pollution and other adverse effects of oil exploration.
“I’m pleading with the Office of the National Security Adviser to consider Eleme. The oil pollution we have at Ejama-Ebubu, no clean up can clear it up. The water pollution in Ogale is the worst in the world.
No roads, I’m happy with PINL for calling us here to tell them our minds, take this to Abuja because they don’t know what we are suffering by answering the oil producing community,” he appealed.
Speaking on behalf of women from the host communities, former member of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon Ingo Iwowari commended PINL for engagement, while stressing on the importance of communication and meeting regularly with it’s host communities.
She said, “In any area of life, anywhere there is no communication, you will know war is breeding somewhere. Everyone will act on an assumption.
So, on behalf of the women here, we really commend Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited for communicating.”
She however, called on other firms operating in the region to emulate PINL by being close to the people. “They are not the only ones working on these pipelines. where are the others?
If everyone would emulate PINL, by gathering stakeholders like this and explaining what they are going through and what the communities should expect, I’m very sure the restiveness will really reduce, the communities will not complain much.”
Earlier in his address, the Community Relations Consultant of PINL, Dr Akpos Mezeh said the essence of the engagement was to appraise the company’s activities in the Communities for the years and seek ways of improvement.
“The essence of today’s meeting is for us to appraise our journey so far and of course we all started the journey together and it’s only proper that we come together from time to time for us to assess ourselves whether we are making progress or not and I think the essence of this exercise is to improve on whatever efforts we are putting in,” Mezeh stated.
He noted that PINL mandate to protect the Trans Niger Pipeline has been achieved through engagements with the host communities, stressing that the collaborative approach has not only led to stronger relations but also forged a united front against pipeline vandalism.
He said apart from the community stakeholders, the company also has a mandate to reach out to other groups like non-state actors, local government chairmen, government security agencies, and regulatory agencies.
Mezeh noted the achievements of the company in the Niger Delta in collaboration with the communities and government security agencies.
He said, “We have carried out social investments based on needs assessment done mitigating the socioeconomic drivers of oil theft while promoting sustainable empowerment of our communities.
“We have also ensured that we restore the environment hitherto destroyed by incessant crude oil theft ,with the associated hazards.
Also, we have achieved near-zero infractions on the Trans Niger Pipeline and of course that is giving us increased crude oil production and also it has boosters investors confidence in our economy with the attendant revenue increase”.
He added that the company has been able to motivate its surveillance guards through regular and timely payment of salaries amongst others.
“We have never owed them even one month.
We are also passionate about the safety of workers and the people living in the communities where we have our operations.
“We have also encouraged host communities’ leadership through regular engagement and support,” he added.
The Community Relations Consultant further disclosed that the company has also carried out other social responsibilities and interventions that prioritized the welfare of the communities.
He however noted that some of the challenges facing the company in the communities includes difficulty in prosecuting criminals, community stakeholders’ connivance with vandals, leadership tussle in communities amongst others.
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