Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the company responsible for securing the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), has scheduled a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with host communities and relevant stakeholders along the pipeline corridor.
The meeting, a follow-up to previous engagements and sensitisation efforts across PINL’s 215 host communities, aims to foster a sense of ownership among the communities and stakeholders regarding the critical national asset.
Community Relations Consultant for PINL, Dr Akpos Meze, disclosed the upcoming engagement while speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt. He stated that traditional rulers, youth and women leaders from the affected communities across Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, and Abia states would be in attendance.
Dr Meze further noted that top political actors from the four states, particularly Rivers State—where political tensions have been linked to pipeline vandalism—are also expected to participate. While stressing that PINL remains non-partisan, he explained that this edition of the meeting is aimed at fostering peace and ultimately ensuring the security of the pipeline to boost oil output and enhance the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He expressed optimism that the meetings, scheduled for Monday, 31st March in Port Harcourt and Tuesday, 1st April in Yenagoa, would help curb further infractions on the TNP.
“There is an impression that the recent blast on the Trans Niger Pipeline under our management could have been avoided. What we intend to do at this stakeholders’ meeting—bringing together community leaders, government representatives, and other key actors—is to take decisive steps to prevent future incidents,” Dr Meze stated.
He emphasised that the meeting aims to align all parties towards the common goal of increasing oil output and enhancing the nation’s GDP.
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Addressing concerns over the recent blast on the TNP pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr Meze described the incident as an act of sabotage. He noted that before the incident, the company had successfully maintained zero infractions on the pipeline and was committed to restoring that status.
He, however, confirmed that the pipeline had since been restored to full operation, stating, “The Trans Niger Pipeline has been fixed and is currently working at 100% output.”
Dr Meze also highlighted PINL’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts in host communities, including providing relief materials to flood victims in Bayelsa State following the 2022 floods and the distribution of palliatives to all host communities last December.
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