N’Delta: PINL Seeks Support to Curb Pipeline Vandalism, Oil Theft

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has solicited for more support of host communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) towards curbing pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.

The call was made at the weekend, in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, at the conclusion of a week-long palliatives’ distribution to its 215 host communities cutting across four Niger Delta states of Abia, Bayelsa, Imo and Rivers.

Commending the communities for what they described as an “unprecedented show of love”, the company noted the relationship that has thrived since the PINL came to their communities.

The exercise which began on Monday last week, had the company reaching out to benefitting communities assembled at six different strategic distribution points to receive different food items including rice, beans, cassava flour (garri), noodles, salt, among others.

The exercise was led by Miss Deborah Okunbo, Chief Executive Officer, Learn and Leadwise Resources Limited, Consultant for PINL. 

Earlier, during a press briefing to begin the palliatives distribution, Okunbo, explained that the exercise was part of a bouquet of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes packaged by PINL for its pipeline host communities.

Preceding the palliative distribution was a consultation of 11 top traditional rulers of the host communities to inform them about the planned exercise, with the monarchs praising the move and pledging their support. In some instances, they made suggestions on the modalities to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

It commenced at the Tai local government secretariat at Saapkenwa, for about 35 communities across Andoni, Bonny Eleme, Gokana and Tai local government areas, moving to Owaza community in Ukwa West local government area on Tuesday, were 32 different communities in Abia and Rivers State were served.

The palliatives were also distributed to 52 pipeline host communities in Bayelsa state. Some of the communities received food palliatives, mattresses and blankets as part of relief packages for the recent flooding they experienced.

Other beneficiaries of the palliatives were 19 pipeline host communities of Ohaji/Egbema local government, Imo state, 37 communities from Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abual/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

The six days palliative tour of communities was concluded at Emohua Local Government Secretariat where Emohua, Etche, Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor local government areas gathered to receive their share of the food palliatives.

Speaking to the communities at Emohua, Okunbo, restated that: “The purpose of this is to first appreciate the support and corporation we’ve enjoyed from the host communities along this axis and also to solicit for more support and effort towards curbing pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.

“Once again we want to emphasise that the main target of this CSR programme is to give the people a sense of ownership and responsibility to the assets on their land, encourage them to be part of their security and protection thereby eliminating pipeline vandalism, oil theft and kpo-fire in the communities.”

She assured the people that with their continued cooperation with the company, the CSR programme, which she said is a one-year programme would be concluded with the medical outreach, skill acquisition, agriculture training, among others.

Okunbo encouraged youths to stop pipeline vandalism saying: “If they’re able to contain that, then we’re able to increase production, the economy will get better. “

In his response, Paramount Ruler of Omuobizu and Chairman, Ibaa Council of Chiefs, Chief Adolphus Umesi, expressed appreciation to PINL for the gesture, describing it as the first of its kind to the communities.

He said: “We celebrate PINL, for the palliatives, we have not seen this before, but this one has motivated us to be here. That’s why we are patient, we are salivating, we are hoping, we are celebrating. So that’s why we are here. 

“My feeling is that these people will not be like other multinationals in our communities because what they’ve done now is a conviction that good things will come. And we also have assured them that vandalism has to stop.”