The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has called on host communities and stakeholders in the Niger Delta to give full support to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the surveillance firm securing the Eastern Corridor, including the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

Speaking at PINL’s August stakeholders meeting in Bayelsa State, INC President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, praised the company for its zero-infraction record on the TNP over the past months and its consistent engagement with host communities.

He said, “PINL has shown they are one of us. They are not foreigners,” Okaba said. “The fact that they have recorded zero infractions shows they are doing well. They may not be perfect, but there are clear signals they are ready to do better and carry everybody along. I urge our youths to stay patient, avoid vandalism, and take advantage of the livelihood packages provided.”

In his remark, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office, Engr. Akponine Omojevwe, credited the cordial relationship between PINL and host communities for the improved security.

“Over the last month, there have been no infractions, which makes our work easier. This is the result of fantastic collaboration between the company and the communities, and I appreciate our royal fathers for their role in this,” Omojevwe said.

Lawmaker Calls for Constructive Engagement

Also speaking, Chairman of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Youths, Tari Porei, noted that the struggle of the Ijaw people contributed to PINL’s establishment and urged youths to engage companies and government constructively.

“If oil companies in the region had been as responsive as PINL, there would have been no need for agitation leading to vandalism,” he said.

Former Bayelsa State lawmaker, Mrs. Ingo Iwowari, commended PINL for including women in its programmes and urged other companies to follow suit.

She said Pipeline vandalism is more than a security challenge, “it’s a human community crisis. Ignoring women is ignoring half the solution. By empowering women, we can protect our pipelines, environment, and people. Inclusion brings lasting peace and faster recovery.”

PINL’s General Manager for Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, in his opening remarks, confirmed that zero infractions on the TNP in the past month have contributed to an increase in national oil revenue.

He noted that the Federal Inland Revenue Service recently confirmed Nigeria achieved its 2025 oil revenue benchmark for the first time in years, attributing part of the success to surveillance companies like PINL.

Mezeh outlined strategies behind the results, including strong community partnerships, safety measures for personnel, timely salary payments, and rapid dispute resolution. He also highlighted the company’s CSR initiatives — scholarships across 215 host communities and training programmes for women.

“We remain committed to sustainable energy security in the Niger Delta and call on all stakeholders to work with us to protect these critical national assets,” Mezeh said.