The activities of the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), a pipeline surveillance company lead to stability in Rivers and Bayelsa states, leading to increased crude oil production in the country
By Chinedu Ogu, Port Harcourt
In a bid to meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s 2.5 million daily crude oil production target, the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has intensified effective monitoring and policing oil pipelines and other critical oil infrastructure at the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) which has made Trans Niger Pipeline more secure and able to deliver 100 percent through put to the Bonny Export terminal.
It was reliably gathered that in engagement with stakeholders of its 215 pipeline host communities in Port Harcourt and Yenegoa last week, PINL was applauded for its unique efforts in encouraging community participation in the security of the pipeline and other social responsibility programmes that have helped in increasing the crude oil production.
Director, Energy Security, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Ojukaye Amachree who was represented by Young Harry Amakiri, commended PINL for constantly engaging with the stakeholders of host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline.
He noted that the issue of pipeline security should be the utmost concern of all citizens and called for concerted efforts by communities and relevant stakeholders to ensure that zero infractions on the pipelines is achieved, adding, “When it comes to securing the pipeline, all hands must be on deck to achieve our common goal.” On his part, Amachree, who said the ONSA has set-up an investigation and prosecution team to prosecute vandals, disclosed that of the over 100 suspects being prosecuted so far by the team, 15 have already been convicted.
“We have prosecuted over 100 suspects as of today and some are serving prison terms. The team is working 24 hours to ensure that those involved in the illegal activity are dealt with according to law. So, I assure you that whatever information you have about the vandals, don’t hesitate to call our attention to apprehend them” he stated.
In his assessment, President of the Movement for the Emancipation of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Nigeria Delta (MOSIEND), Dr. Kennedy West, 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 expressed the hope that with sustained engagements and conversations, pipeline vandalism will be a thing of the past in the communities.
Speaking, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mrs. Ingo Iwowari, who spoke for the women, asserted that women are usually the most affected whenever there is environment pollution or social disorderliness.
She, however, commended the PINL for communicating their challenges with the communities and seeking solutions, while urging other companies operating in the region to learn the art communicating with their host communities from PINL.
Iwowari lamented that because they are mothers, they suffer the most if anything goes wrong, adding that due to misconception, anytime things happen, when the youths go out to rob and block roads and burst pipelines, the mothers suffer most.
She appealed to PINL to teach other companies working in their various communities the art of communication so that there will be progress and peace in the land.
On his part, the Oneh-Eeh Eleme, in Rivers State, King Philip Osaro Obele charged the relevant authorities to look into the plight of host communities especially Eleme, adding that communities are suffering so much from pollution and other adverse effects of oil exploration.
“No amount of cleanup can clear the oil pollution at Ejama Ebubu. The water pollution in Ogale is the worst in the world and there are no good roads. I’m happy with PINL for calling us to air our view. Take this to Abuja because they don’t know what we are suffering by answering oil producing community” he appealed.
On how PINL have achieved near-zero infractions on the Trans Niger Pipeline, PINL’S community Relations Consultant Dr. Akpos Mezeh explained that PINL’s mandate to protect the Trans Niger Pipeline has been achieved through engagement with host communities, stressing that collaborative approach has not only led to stronger relations but also forged a united front against pipeline vandalism.
He further 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, regulating agencies.
Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor Project, Monitoring Office of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Akponine Omojevwe noted that there have been so much improvement in terms of output since PINL took over protection of the pipelines.
“So we want to appreciate you because from what we have observed, a lot has really changed. If we look at the tender receipts of two years ago, there are improvements, and so we can say that you have done well and appreciate you but also urge you to put in more efforts,” he stated.
Although, Mezeh, the company’s consultant disclosed that they have achieved near zero infractions on the Trans Niger Pipeline and of course which have increased crude oil production and also has booster investors confidence in the economy with attendant revenue increase.
He however noted that some of the challenges facing the company in the communities which is hindering their operations include difficulty in prosecuting criminals, community stakeholders’ connivance with vandals, leadership tussles in some of the host communities.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has reported that Nigeria’s Crude Oil Production rose to 1.48 million barrels per day (bpd) in April, an increase from 1.40 million bpd recorded in March, 2025.
According to the regulatory body, the April figure represents 99% of the 1.5 million bpd quota allocated to Nigeria by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). For the moment according to reports, the highest peak is at 1.76 million bpd.
The figures signal continued efforts by Nigeria to stabilize output and meet its production targets amid ongoing returns in oil and gas sector.
Tentacle learnt that the efforts also include the aggressive strategies deployed by pipeline surveillance contractors like the PINL, which has made Trans Niger Pipeline more secure, leading to an increase in oil and gas production.
