PINL Initiatives, Operational Etiquette Excites Bayelsa Stakeholders 

Host Communities of oil and gas firms within the operational catchment area of an oil and gas infrastructure surveillance company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd. (PINL), have scored the firm high over its developmental initiatives and programmes.

The stakeholders gave the commendation in joint address presented during a stakeholders engagement meeting held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, by the PINL to assess the performance of the company’s operations in host  communities.

Presenting the address on behalf of the communities, Elder T.K. Ogoriba lauded the firm for its giant and uncommon initiatives which has brought development and empowerment to host Communities within its operational catchment area.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the PINL Consultant, Communities Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, stated that the company would soon unveil empowerment schemes for youths.

He stressed that there has been near zero infractions on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), hemce an increase in crude oil production, which has ultimately increased Nigeria’s revenue.

“Collectively,  we have been able to achieve near zero infractions on the pipelines that we have been mandated to secure and the implication is that we are experiencing uninterrupted operations in the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), and crude oil production from the fields are flowing without interruption.

“Secondly, we used to experience soot. If you dry your clothes, the next day the colors have changed , and, of course, we are all witnesses that the situation has changed for better and that goes to show that our environment is now enjoying some level of restoration.

“Our environmentalist here can confirm that we are making good progress. We have experienced increase in crude oil production and the implication is that we are making oil revenue available for the federal government and that would go a long way to restore confidence of investors in our economy”, he said.

In a presentation on the impact of oil spillage on the environment, the Manager, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) of PINL, Sunday Otoyo, called on the community stakeholders to dissuade their children and constituents from bursting the pipelines, citing environmental degradation, health challenges and other impacts as consequences.

“Oil spillage possess a significant environmental threat, harming marine life, disrupting ecosystems, and damaging human health and economic activities”, he stated.

In his response, President of Movement For the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Comrade Tonjo Kennedy West, applauded the company for showing exemplary leadership by opening itself for assessment by community stakeholders, calling on other surveillance companies operating in the Niger Delta to borrow a leaf from PINL and create better working relationship with host communities.

Speaking on behalf of the women, Mrs. Moke Ossai, Women Leader, Igbogene Federated Communities, commended the company for carrying women and youths along in their operations.

In his speech, Community Relations Executive of the firm, Mr. Tarila Alamieyeseigha, said the firm would soon roll out a scholarship scheme for the host communities within its areas of operation.

He commended stakeholders for synergizing with the firm, noting that the company will leverage on the cordial relationship existing between her and the host communities “to ensure enduring peace, tranquility and pipeline vandalism-free operational catchment area”.

This, he explained, is in order to protect the environment from  oil and gas related hazards and increase the nation’s oil and gas production for the overall benefit of citizens.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa