PINL Announces Scholarships, CSR Packages For Host Communities

The management of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has approved a total of 646 scholarships and other packages for the 215 communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP). This is part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives for its host communities, which was recently announced by PINL’s Community Relations Executive, Seriaki Alamieseigha, during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting.

The meeting, which went down in Port Harcourt for Rivers, Abia, and Imo communities, was set up to review the operations of the company on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

Seriaki spoke about the ongoing strategic collaboration that will enhance community relations, aid the protection of the local people, and empower the female gender.

“I bring good news from PINL. Management has approved scholarships for 3 persons per community, bringing the total to 645 persons across the board, and it is to take effect immediately.

Also, management has partnered with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in building a facility to address challenges with regards to investigations and prosecution across the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP). Also, there is a proposal for a skill acquisition program designed for women underway,” he said.

While calling for increased synergy, he stated that PINL’s partnership with the host communities has resulted in a major boost in oil production.

“I thank you for this collaborative effort to boost oil production in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With your collaboration and with your effort, we’ve been able to see economic growth in the nation,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Director of Energy Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, warned against illegal bunkering activities, stressing that anybody caught in the act would be immediately detained and punished.

Ojukaye, who was represented by Young Harry Amakiri, revealed that the office of the National Security Council has already punished more than 100 persons involved in illegal activities.

He urged stakeholders and community heads to caution their kids and youths against all acts of vandalism.

“We want to plead with you to talk to our brothers; we all know these persons involved in these acts. Talk them out of these—it would help, because the business is not as usual as before; it has changed.

“As I’m talking to you, more than 100 persons have been prosecuted. Who you are doesn’t matter; even though you are a general in the army, you are a military personnel, whatever you are—if you are found guilty, you are going in for it,” Ojukaye said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, appreciated PINL for consistently engaging with host communities and discouraging the youths from partaking in illegal bunkering.

Lokpobiri, ably represented by his Special Assistant on Host Communities, Julius Eddie, disclosed that PINL’s work has increased oil production in Nigeria and also earned the ministry various high-profile recognitions.

“I want to encourage you. What you are doing for the host communities and for the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a win for all of us.

Today, because of the solutions you have proffered, illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, popularly known as ‘kpofire,’ has tremendously reduced in the region.

Because of your efforts, today the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, was listed among the team of influential leaders in policy and leadership direction in ThisDay Newspaper and Arise TV.

I want to encourage and challenge you to continue to discourage the youths from tampering with the pipelines, because in all, we are the victims because the pollution affects the environment, and as farmers and fishermen that we are, we are most affected,” he said.

The Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Akponine Omojevwe also warned subcontractors against employing people without doing their due diligence.

He advocated for cooperation between the subcontractors and PINL to boost the performance rating of the company and to maintain zero tolerance on the TNP.

“The problem we are still having here is connivance—that’s why I want to talk to the PINL sub-contractors to be careful. For PINL’s ratings to be going up, you, their sub-contractors, need to be carrying out your jobs effectively, and as your employments are being made from the communities, please, before you employ, carry out due diligence because most times you will suffer for it,” he said.

The forum helped stakeholders from several communities to assess the company’s performance and express their grievances.

Most of them hailed the management of PINL for continuously relating with host communities and offering suggestions to further boost community engagement and improve the company’s operations.