NSA, NNPCL, Others Hail PINL For Effective Protection Of Crude Oil Pipeline
The Director, Energy Security, Office of the National Security Adviser, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and other stakeholders have said that production output has improved since Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) took over protection of the pipelines.
The stakeholders attributed the successes recorded by PINL to constant engagement with stakeholders from communities hosting the Trans Niger Pipeline.
Flag-Amachree, represented by Mr Young Harry Amachree, said at a stakeholders meeting organised to appraise PINL’s operations on the TNP that the company was operating in line with the mandate given to it by the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser .
He said, “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.
“This is a meeting of appraisal and I have listened to everyone and everyone is towing the same line with 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.”
The Director Energy Services said when the treasury of the nation drops, it affects Nigerians.
He said “We have prosecuted more than 100 suspects as of today and some serving prison terms.
“The teams 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.”
The Head, Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, Engr Akponine Omojevwe in his remark hailed PINL for its efforts which has led to improved output on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
Omojevwe said, “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 want to 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 improvement, so we can say that you have done well and we appreciate you but also urge you to put in more efforts.”
Similarly, the President of the Movement for the Emancipation of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, Dr Kennedy West expressed confidence in the works of PINL.
He said, “I want to thank PINL for bringing people from 215 communities within the Trans Niger Pipeline to discuss on what used to be wrong and I want to say, PINL you are getting it right.
“Not only that you have our thumps 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 financial boom within the communities,” he stated.
Speaking earlier at the meeting 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.
According to him, PINL mandate to protect the Trans Niger Pipeline has been achieved through engagements with the host communities.
He called for united front against pipeline vandalism.
He said, “We have carried out social investments based on needs assessment done mitigating the socioeconomic drivers of oil theft while promoting sustainable empowerments 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 boosted investors confidence in our economy with the attendant revenue increase.
” 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.”
NSA, NNPCL, Others Hail PINL For Effective Protection Of Crude Oil Pipeline is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
