By: Felix Ikpotor
Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the private security firm responsible for protecting the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), has warned its surveillance contractors and guards against negligence following two recent cases of attempted crude oil theft in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
The warning came after operatives intercepted two tankers attempting to load crude oil at the Atali axis in Zone 4, an operation the company says was foiled only by its backup intelligence system. Preliminary findings, according to PINL, point to a possible coordinated conspiracy involving insiders.
PINL, whose operations also cover the Eastern Gas Network (EGN), issued the warning at its monthly stakeholders meeting with host communities and contractors in Port Harcourt, stating that acts of collusion, sabotage or negligence will not be tolerated.
Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, addressed those present directly: “Recently, at Atali axis — Zone 4, two tankers were intercepted while attempting to load crude. It was only through the effectiveness of our backup intelligence system that this operation was foiled; otherwise, those trucks would have successfully loaded.
”Preliminary findings point to a possible coordinated conspiracy. Let me be clear — once investigations are concluded, everyone found culpable will be brought to justice. No one will be spared.”
He added: “Let this serve as a clear and firm warning to all contractors and operatives that any act of negligence, compromise, or collusion will not be tolerated. Going forward, any contractor found wanting will not only lose their contract but will also face full prosecution under the law.”
Engr. Akponime Omojevwhe, Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (NNPCL) Project Monitoring Office, also addressed the meeting, specifically citing reported negligence by surveillance contractors in parts of Obio/Akpor and Emohua Local Government Areas.
”For the contractors in Atali and Egbeda Communities in Zone 4 and Zone 6, I have the mandate to ensure that at any place that the community surveillance contractors allow somebody else to enter the community to sabotage the pipeline, the contractor should be given a non-performance certificate,” he said.
Omojevwhe noted that 90 percent of PINL contractors and 100 percent of its surveillance workers are drawn from host communities, making insider vigilance critical. He urged contractors to conduct thorough due diligence before engaging guards, adding: “Before engaging the guards, thoroughly do your due diligence so that they will not spoil the name of the community.”
He also called on all stakeholders to remain vigilant against miscreants who could damage the relationship between communities, government and PINL.
On a positive note, Eze Ekpeye-Logbo, King Kevin Anugwo, represented at the event by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, commended PINL for restoring the local environment and ecosystem. The monarch noted that fish species that had disappeared from community waters during the peak of oil bunkering and pollution have now returned, and called on the Federal Government to increase its support for the company.
