A Niger Delta group, Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Federal Government to sustain the pipeline surveillance contract to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL) because of the company’s good performance.
MOSIEND observed that the good performance of PINL in protecting the Trans Niger Pipeline TNP has contributed to the recent increase in crude oil production output announced recently announced by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
NNPCL had announced that for the first time in over 15 years, the country’s daily crude oil production output hit 1.8 million bpd from about 1.35 million bpd and natural gas production peaked at 7.4 billion standard cubic feet per day from 5.5 billion standard cubic feet (scfpd).
In a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, MOSIEND commended PINL, the military and other stakeholders for their efforts at achieving uninterrupted crude oil production in the Niger Delta region.
National President of MOSIEND, Kennedy West, while fielding questions from journalists at the press conference stressed the need for PINL’s surveillance contract “to be sustained” saying that the company stands out in its operations “because of the model of community engagement, the model of community approach, making sure that the people and the community have a say, open their eyes and monitor these pipelines directly in their community. And that is the way to go.
“There are places in the creeks that the military cannot enter. There are places that a lot of people cannot enter because of a lot of traditional activities there. But the community and the youth can go there. And for years now, they have been very satisfied with what PINL is doing.
“So for us, we don’t have any other thing to say but to say that let the Federal Government continue to sustain the contract with PINL, that’s Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited so that it can also get more people on board,” West said.
Speaking earlier at the press conference, themed ‘X-raying the gains in the fight against illegal bunkering: the surveillance perspective’, the spokesman of MOSIEND, Charles Omusuku noted that through trust-building measures, employment opportunities, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, PINL has transformed communities from being passive observers to active participant in protecting oil infrastructure.
He said the success of PINL in combating oil theft and illegal bunkering “is a testament to the power of collaboration between private-sector innovation, community engagement, and government support.
“For decades, pipeline vandalisation, oil theft and illegal bunkering have long posed significant threats to our nation’s economy and the coastal livelihoods of millions in the oil-producing communities, this scourge has plagued our oil industry, resulting in significant revenue losses, environmental degradation, and insecurity within oil-producing communities.”
He noted that the challenges have threatened the foundation of the heavily oil-dependent economy by draining the nation’s revenue, hindering development and contributing to hybrid environmental and health challenges.
Omusuku stressed that PINL’s approach, leveraging top-notch technology and grassroots engagement, has recorded uninterrupted operations in the way of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) due to near zero infractions.
He added: “The partnership of PINL and the military in the fight against oil theft and sundry vices has played an indispensable role in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure. The unwavering commitment to security challenges, intelligence gathering, and rapid response to threats has significantly improved the safety of oil installations and deterred criminal activities.
“The presence of the PINL and the military taskforce in the creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta ensures that the menace of illegal bunkering and oil theft is curtailed to the barest minimum if not completely eradicated.”
He further noted that through advanced surveillance technologies, community engagement, and operational efficiency, PINL curtailed to a large extent, cases of pipeline vandalisation and illegal bunkering in Rivers, Abia and Imo States.
The group commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on their commitment to the smooth process of oil production and reaffirmed ctheir ommitment to continue support efforts that promote transparency, security, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
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