By: Felix Ikpotor
For the full month of April, no incidents were recorded on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) or the Eastern Gas Network across Bayelsa State — no bunkering, no spillage, no infractions. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has credited the result to the working partnership between Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and the host communities along the corridor.
The commendation came at a stakeholder meeting convened by PINL in Bayelsa to review operational performance and community engagement.
“For the past month, there has been no incident in the whole of Bayelsa as far as we are concerned,” said Engr. Omojevwhe Akponime, Head of NNPCL’s Project Monitoring Office for the Eastern Corridor. “That shows that the community and PINL are one in common.”
Akponime linked the result to rising production on the TNP, and called on the royal fathers, CDC chairmen, women’s leaders and youth groups present to sustain the collaboration. “Each time you give them your support, they will always do more for you,” he said.
PINL’s General Manager for Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, placed the achievement against the national target.
“Production has continued to increase,” Mezeh said. “By the grace of God, we’ll meet our target of 2.5 million barrels per day. It shows that the stakeholders are performing their obligations strictly in the partnership.”
Mezeh used the meeting to present cheques to beneficiaries of PINL’s women empowerment programme, encouraging recipients to invest the funds into their businesses. He also called on youth across the corridor to reject vandalism.
“If you go and spend money to install any illegal connection, you cannot reap it,” he said. “In the next 24 hours, we will get intelligence, and you will lose out. Vandalism is no longer profitable.”
Speaking for the beneficiaries, Madam Love Theophilus reinforced the message. “This empowerment is for business,” she told the women. “It’s not for big wrapper. It’s not for good shoes. Use the money to promote your business.”
The Trans Niger Pipeline is one of Nigeria’s most critical crude evacuation arteries. A month without infraction in Bayelsa is a direct contribution to national production and to the 2.5 million barrels per day target.
