Business
PINL Awards Scholarships To 645 Persons … Presents Empowerment Packages For Host Communities.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has awarded about 645 scholarships alongside other welfare packages for the 215 communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).
The Community Relations Executive, PINL, Tarilah Alamieseigha, disclosed this during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting held recently in Port Harcourt.
Alamieseigha stated that the PINL was also engaged in some ongoing strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening community relations, security of the local people and empowering of women.
He said, “I bring good news from PINL. Management has approved scholarship for 3 persons per community bringing the total to 645 persons across 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). There is also a proposal for a skill acquisition designed for women underway”.
Alamieseigha noted that the company’s collaboration with the host communities has led to significant boost in oil production and stressed the need for an increased synergy for increased productivity.
“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 stated.
Also speaking, the Director of Energy Security, Office of the National Security Adviser, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, warned against illegal bunkering activities, insisting that anyone found guilty of such acts would be prosecuted and imprisoned.
Flag-Amachree, who was represented by Young Harry Amakiri, noted that the Office of the National Security Council has already prosecuted over 100 individuals involved in these criminal activities.
He appealed to stakeholders and community leaders to caution their children and youths against vandalism.
In his words, “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,” he warned.
Also speaking, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, hailed PINL for regular engagement with host communities and discouraging the youths from engaging in illegal bunkering.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Host Communities, Julius Eddie, Lokpobiri acknowledged that the efforts of PINL has boosted oil production in the country earning the ministry several 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 to 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 stated.
The Head, Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Akponine Omojevwe, cautioned sub-contractors against connivance and employment of personnel without proper background checks and due diligence.
He called for proper synergy between the subcontractors and PINL to increase the performance rating of the company as well as maintain zero-tolerance on the TNP.
Omojevwe said, “the problem we are still having here is connivance, that’s why I want to talk to the PINL subcontractors to be careful. For PINL ratings to be going up, you, their subcontractors, need to be carrying out your jobs effectively, and as your employments are being made from the communities, please before you employ, carryout due diligence because most times you will suffer for it” he said.
The meeting, convened for Rivers, Abia and Imo Communities, was aimed at reviewing the operations of the company on the Trans Niger Pipeline operations.
The forum allowed stakeholders from various communities to assess the company’s performance and present their challenges.
The stakeholders commended the management of PINL for actively engaging with host communities and offered suggestions to further strengthen community relations and enhance the company’s operations.
Lady Godknows Ogbulu
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The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has unveiled the plans to host a major economic and investment summit aimed at attracting five billion dollars, ( N7 trillion) investments in addition to creating about 500,000 jobs over the next five years.
The Chairman of NDCCITMA Board, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently.
Ogan stated that the initiative is designed to reposition the Niger Delta as a viable destination for sustainable economic growth and development.
He explained the summit would bring together investors, policymakers, manufacturers and business leaders from within and outside Nigeria to explore opportunities across key sectors of the regional economy.
According to him, the event is expected to attract high-profile participation, with President Bola Tinubu billed as Special Guest of Honour, while the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, is expected to deliver the keynote address.
Ogan said the summit would focus on critical sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and the blue economy, which he described as areas with significant untapped potential.
He called on state governments, development partners and private sector stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that collective efforts are required to unlock the region’s economic prospects.
NDCCITMA chairman further stated that improving security conditions and increasing economic confidence in the Niger Delta have made the region more attractive to both local and foreign investors.
He emphasised that ongoing economic reforms at the national level have also contributed to creating a more favourable investment climate.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said the event would prioritise the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the region.
He noted the summit would provide a strategic platform for networking, business partnership and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening the private sector.
Edebiri disclosed that findings from a recent business roundtable revealed significant untapped investment opportunities, which the summit seeks to harness through targeted collaborations.
He revealed that the event would feature exhibitions of viable projects, facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government engagements, and also promote innovations across multiple sectors.
According to him, the expected outcomes of the summit include job creation, increased industrial activity and improved livelihoods for people in the Niger Delta.
To build momentum ahead of the event, NDCCITMA said the body would embark on awareness roadshows across states in the Niger Delta, as well as in Lagos and Abuja, to attract broad participation.
King Onunwor
The Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set N1.489 trillion as its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for the 2026 fiscal year.
NPA says the figure represents an increase of N21 billion over the N1.468 trillion target for 2025, which the agency exceeded with an actual revenue of N1.97 trillion.
The Managing Director NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, stated this during the agency’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.
Dantsoho said the authority was set to begin groundbreaking projects for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to enhance global competitiveness.
According to him, of the projected revenue: N945 billion is allocated for capital projects, N447.5 billion for operating expenses, and
N90.6 billion for remittance into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
The MD explained that the budget was anchored on the mantra, “Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.”
Dantsoho said that the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports were flagship projects aimed at boosting revenue.
“Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are old and no longer adequate for modern global port operations.
“Apapa Port is about 100 years old, while Tin Can Island Port is over 50 years old, with limited capacity for handling modern vessels and cargo volumes.
“Groundbreaking for their modernisation will commence within the next two to three weeks,” he added.
On the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Dantsoho said all revenues generated by the NPA are paid directly into the account managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“We do not retain any funds. The Central Bank is the signatory and we must apply for funds whenever needed,” he explained.
Earlier in his remarks,Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ports, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun (Lagos Central), said the committee’s oversight function was collaborative rather than adversarial.
“Our goal is to work with you to strengthen institutional capacity, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that every naira appropriated serves the public interest,” he said.
Chinedu Wosu
Nigeria Police Force has disbursed a total of ?21,678,120 to the deceased police officers families in Rivers State as part of ongoing welfare interventions by the force.
The gesture formed a major highlight of the activities marking the 2026 National Police Day celebration in the state, underscoring renewed institutional focus on personnel welfare and post-service support systems.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who presided over the cheque presentation ceremony, said the initiative reflects the Force’s commitment to honouring officers who paid the ultimate price in their line of duty.
He explained that the financial support is designed to cushion the economic burden faced by bereaved families, while also reinforcing confidence among serving personnel about the Force’s long-term welfare structure.
Adepoju conveyed the sympathy of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to the beneficiaries, noting that the sacrifices of fallen officers remain invaluable to national security and public safety.
The police boss further stressed that sustained welfare interventions are critical to boosting morale, enhancing productivity, and strengthening institutional loyalty within the Force.
He reiterated that the welfare scheme aligns with broader reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force as a responsive and people-oriented institution.
Beneficiaries of the cheques commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for prioritising the welfare of officers and their families through consistent and impactful interventions.
They described the initiative as timely and compassionate, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating financial pressures arising from the loss of their loved ones.
The families also acknowledged ongoing reforms under the current police leadership, which they said have strengthened trust, improved service delivery, and enhanced the overall image of the Force.
The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining similar initiatives as part of efforts to uphold the dignity, sacrifice, and legacy of officers who served the nation with distinction.
King Onunwor
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