The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has commended President Bola Tinubu, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) following a reported rise in crude oil deliveries through the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) to 98 per cent.

The commendation followed the adoption of a subcommittee report on a petition against PINL at a special sitting of the committee on Tuesday.

The lawmakers also recommended extending the company’s pipeline surveillance contract and passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu, NNPC Limited, PINL and its Managing Director, Dr Osahon Okunbor.

According to PINL’s submission to the panel, the proportion of crude reaching the Bonny Terminal through the TNP rose from three per cent in May 2022 to 98 per cent in September 2026.

The subcommittee also highlighted the remediation of 2,049 illegal pipeline connections and the destruction of 1,010 illegal refinery clusters.

It further noted that Oil Mining Lease 11 (OML 11) resumed operations within 90 days of PINL’s engagement, following an 18-month shutdown.

The report attributed the figures to PINL’s operational submission, which detailed the company’s activities across 215 host communities in the Niger Delta.

PINL said it deployed more than 35,600 surveillance guards, supported by 28 forward bases, 130 boats, 175 vehicles and 25 drones. It also reported working alongside 454 personnel from government security agencies.

Before PINL began its surveillance operations in August 2022, the company said crude losses along the TNP had reached 97 per cent. The situation had prompted a force majeure declaration, while national oil production had fallen below 900,000 barrels per day.

The committee’s commendation also covered community development initiatives outlined in the submission. PINL reported providing more than 5,000 scholarships, skills training for over 4,000 women and girls, and flood relief to more than 10 communities in Rivers State.

The subcommittee described PINL as “a well-organised company with a strong organisational and operational structure” and said it had earned a good reputation among its host communities.

It also recommended that the Federal Government extend PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract, while urging the company to sustain its community engagement and pay attention to the welfare of surveillance personnel.

The lawmakers commended Tinubu for sustaining reforms aimed at improving security in the oil and gas industry. They also praised the National Security Adviser for coordinating security efforts to protect critical pipeline infrastructure.

NNPC Limited’s management received commendation for supporting the reforms and providing an enabling environment for pipeline security operations.

The report also recognised the contributions of pipeline surveillance contractors nationwide, specifically naming PINL and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for their roles in protecting oil and gas infrastructure.

The resolution followed an investigation into a petition filed by the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM) on September 5, 2026.

The petition alleged irregularities in contract implementation, financial mismanagement and neglect of surveillance personnel. It also sought a forensic review of PINL’s finances and raised questions about personal expenditure linked to Okunbor.

However, the subcommittee reported that ND-OCRIM failed to attend three invitations issued on September 14, September 22 and October 5. The petitioners neither sent representatives nor submitted documentary evidence to support their allegations.

PINL appeared before the panel and presented a written submission titled “The Impact of PINL Operations on Oil Production and Stability of the Niger Delta”, alongside geotagged photographic evidence.

The subcommittee concluded that the allegations against PINL and Okunbor remained unsubstantiated. It recommended dismissing the petition and discontinuing further investigation into the claims.

The report also recommended a vote of confidence in Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, NNPC Limited’s management and the pipeline surveillance contractors named in the document.

The committee’s recommendations come amid efforts to improve crude oil production, curb theft and protect critical infrastructure that supports government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.