Traditional rulers in the Niger Delta have called for stronger collaboration between monarchs, host communities and pipeline surveillance contractors to enhance the protection of oil and gas facilities in the region.

The Eze Eberi-Ugo Omuma, King Onyekachi Amaonwu, made the call in Port Harcourt on Friday at the bi-monthly stakeholders’ meeting convened by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).

Amaonwu urged the company to disregard negative criticisms and remain focused on protecting pipelines and other oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

PINL is the private security company responsible for surveillance of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and the Eastern Gas Network (EGN).

He urged traditional rulers to cooperate with the company to enable it to deliver on its mandate, stressing that the success of pipeline surveillance depended on the support of host communities.

 

“What we need is collaboration for us to move forward. That collaboration must be between traditional rulers and host communities. Once we unite-the traditional rulers, host communities and the company, more results will come” he said.

Similarly, the Eze Ekpeye-Logbo, King Kevin Anugwo, lauded PINL on behalf of communities in Ekpeye, saying the company’s operations had enabled residents to return to farming and fishing.

He said agricultural activities had previously been hampered by oil pollution and pipeline vandalism, but credited PINL with helping to improve the situation.

“Before you came on board, we were unable to dry our clothes outside because of soot. We were sweeping our houses and rooms six to 10 times a day because of soot.

“Before you came on board, we were unable to farm our lands because crude oil had taken over our land as a result of oil theft. We were also unable to fish in our waters because crude oil had taken over the area.

“Since you came on board, all these challenges have been eliminated permanently,” Anugwo said.

He added that the company’s engagement with youths and provision of employment opportunities had helped reduce insecurity in the communities.

“You came, you saw us and engaged our youths. You gave them employment and removed them from the forest. You made them drop their guns, and now we enjoy peace in our communities,” he said.

This is as the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and stakeholders of oil and gas host communities in the region expressed satisfaction with operations of PINL .

The validations came on the heels of the campaign of calumny targeted at the pipeline surveillance contract from some uninformed sources from the region.

Speaking on behalf of the NNPCL, Head, Field Operations, Eastern Corridor of Project Monitoring Office (NNPCL-PMO), Omojevwhe Akponime, said the company was satisfied with the operations of PINL so far on its area of coverage.

He said the company’s daily review of activities of PINL shows that the lines in their areas of operations are showing green- indicating maximum production.

“The NNPCL management in our last meeting, after the presentation by the top NNPCL, when the PMO Command and Control asked questions, they said, “Do we have any question for the asset owner? And the NNPCL management replied ; “There is no question for PINL. They said so because they are doing well.” So the company is doing well, the lines are showing green. They’re showing 90%, ” he stated.

“The only thing we need to tell them is that they should keep doing what they’re doing very well. They should just do what they’re doing. So if my boss’ have said that they are doing we’ll, what else do you want me to say?, ” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the youths, Legborsi Yamaabana, Spokesperson of the Niger Delta Ethnic Youth Leaders Forum, said people of the region have adopted PINL as their own.

He said dissenting voices can’t change their stance and further thanked the Federal Government for renewing the operational license of the company.

“I’m appreciating the Federal Government for renewing the contracts of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited.

” I want to also assure the Federal Government that the people of Niger Delta especially the youths, the monarchs, the women, the community leaders, the union leaders, are standing tall and well (with Pipeline Infrastructure in Nigeria Limited.

” As Niger Delta people, we all have adopted PINL as, our own, so we don’t need to be talking to ourselves, ” he added.