Ambassador Emeni Ibe, JP, AP, President General of respected Niger Delta socio-cultural group, the Orashi National Congress (ONC), said that the ONC leadership has passed a vote of confidence on Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), according to a statement issued in Port Harcourt.
In the statement, Amb. Ibe said, “PINL has emerged as a key player in safeguarding critical oil and gas infrastructure in Nigeria while investing directly in host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline and Eastern Gas Network which the company safeguards”.
The ONC commended PINL for “adopting a community-based approach to pipeline surveillance since its commencing operations, having recognised that sustainable protection of national assets can only work with active participation from host communities”.
Amb. Ibe stated that the strategy has produced stronger collaboration between PINL, traditional institutions, youth groups, women organisations and other stakeholders across Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia States where the surveillance company operates.
“One of the major gains recorded by PINL is the significant reduction in pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal refining and environmental degradation,” he said, which he cited as a reason for the vote of confidence.
He added that through “continuous stakeholder engagement and intelligence gathering – PINL has helped to maintain uninterrupted crude oil transportation in several operational areas”.
According to Amb. Ibe, this has “contributed to increased oil production and improved government revenue,” based on the ONC’s assessment.
The ONC President General said PINL has demonstrated commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes including food distribution, medical outreaches, scholarship awards, women empowerment and other initiatives.
“PINL’s scholarship programme has provided hundreds of educational opportunities to students from host communities,” Amb. Ibe said.
“The company has expanded empowerment programmes targeted at women and youths, equipping beneficiaries with entrepreneurial and vocational skills for sustainable livelihoods,” he stated.
Amb. Ibe said over 3,000 women drawn from various host communities “got grants to support their small-scale businesses,” and that the company has engaged “thousands of youths from host communities,” which he said “has helped to reduce unemployment while fostering a sense of ownership among community members”.
Amb. Ibe said PINL’s “integrated model of infrastructure protection, stakeholder engagement and community development remains a practical example of how security and social investment can work together to drive national economic growth”.
“Through its sustained commitment to host communities, the company is helping to build a safer, more prosperous, and more inclusive Niger Delta region,” Amb. Ibe stated, and confirmed that ONC had passed a vote of confidence on PINL.
“I equally advocate that the ONC should be included in the initiatives and empowerment programmes of PINL going forward.”