Pipeline Surveillance: PINL to Partner NDLEA’s Anti-drug Campaign in Niger Delta

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa 

In line 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. 

General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh 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 requests by stakeholders at its previous meeting, stressing that the sensitisation will be carried out in conjunction with the NDLEA. 

He said the training would help to strengthen discipline and patriotism 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 sensitise 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.

 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 the 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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Giving the scorecard of its activities in the last one month, Mezeh said the company has ensured uninterrupted production on the Eastern Corridor by maintaining zero-infractions on the TNP, thus sustaining an increase in crude oil and gas production in the corridor. 

He informed the stakeholders that in the month of October to November, Bayelsa State recorded no case of vandalism in its operational areas. 

On security, he said pipeline vandalism attempts reduced by over 87 per cent compared to 2022, stressing; “Our surveillance operations and mandate have been extended to cover all oil and gas facilities in a proximity to TNP” and ‎”Community-based intelligence increased from 10.5 per cent to 68 per cent, reflecting deeper trust and stronger cooperation with traditional rulers, youth structures, and contractors”.

He attributed the feat to increased stakeholders engagement and collaboration between the company, its contractors and the communities. 

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 NNPC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for consideration and approval. 

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 of course 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, ” the monarch said.

Also speaking, the Director General, Bayelsa State Youth Development Centre,  Robert Igali, challenged youths of the state to be development-driven and to maximise the opportunities created by the company.