• As Nigeria’s Gas Production Rises To 7.59bscf In July
No fewer than 35,000 youths in Niger Delta Region have been engaged on security of oil infrastructure and other critical national assets by the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).
The engagement is aimed at enhancing security of the national assets.
This is as Nigeria’s gas production output reportedly rose to 7.59-billion standard cubic feet in the July this year, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulation Commission (NUPRC).
PINL is in charge of surveillance operations in the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline(TNP).
General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement of PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, disclosed the employment figure during the monthly stakeholders’ meeting with host communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Mezeh said with the additional responsibilities of securing gas assets in the Eastern Corridor, more surveillance jobs had been created for youths in the region.
He lauded the Federal Government’s commitment towards mitigating unemployment in the country and Niger Delta in particular, through the expansion of the surveillance jobs and urged other tiers of government to provide more opportunities for youths in the Niger Delta.
He said, “At PINL, while our primary mandate is go secure the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, we have expanded our scope to include other oil and gas facilities , including has lines in the Eastern Corridor. This expanded operations is a call to duty, and aptly aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“With the recent the recent deployment of additional worker due to the expanded scope, PINL provides direct employment to over 35,000 youths across Niger Delta amd oil bearing communities.
“While the Federal Government has demonstrated commitment towards mitigating unemployment and poverty through initiatives such as pipeline surveillance jobs, we urge other tiers of government to compliment these efforts by providing more opportunities for our youths, “ he said.
Mezeh said the company recorded zero-infractions on the TNP, uninterrupted operations on the Eastern Corridor and peace in host communities while crude oil losses dropped to a 16 years low as reported by Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Corporation (NUPRC).
He attributed the feat to the collaboration of the communities and stakeholders.
However, he reported that there were attempts to breach the TNP at Bonny and Eteo community in Eleme but was foiled by combine team of security personnel while suspected vandals in Ikata and Ogbo communities of Ahead East and are undergoing prosecution by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Despite the successes, Mezeh regretted that incidences of stakeholders connivance, leadership disputes in some communities amongst others still threaten the smooth operations of the company.
The company assured continued partnership with their partners, the ONSA and the NNPCL and relevant government agencies to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the host communities.
Mezeh urged the communities to continue to work with the firm not just as partners but as a family in securing the TNP on the Eastern corridor.
Recall that NUPRC in a statement noted that, Nigeria has witnessed steady growth over the past three years, with daily average production hitting 7.59 bscf with simultaneous decline in flaring adding that the feat underscored the commission’s drive to boost production while advancing its 2030 zero-flare commitment.
This, it added, marked an 8.58 per cent increase compared to the 6.99 bscfd recorded in the full year of 2024.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from the host communities said, fighting unemployment in the communities through the engagement of the surveillance workers, was apt.
The stakeholders including; Emeni Ibe, President-General of Orashi People’s Congress and Orr Sunday Orr, Eleme Coordinator of Ogoni Oil and Gas Host Communities Youths Forum said with the efforts and commitment of PINL, vandalism, oil theft, illegal bunkering has reduced in Niger Delta region and Ogoni in particular.
Orr said, “ Ogoni Oil and Gas Host Communities Youths Forum is aware of the Federal Government numerous policies and strategies aimed at safeguarding the pipelines, improving the standards of host communities and increasing oil production and as such, we hereby pass a vote of confidence on PINL as the company with the right strategy in securing the TNP in Niger Delta region and Ogoni in particular”.
He called on all host communities to embrace and sustain the relationship with the company assuring that, the youths will continue to provide the necessary support that will enable the jobs of PINL thrive.
