…Point to PINL model as way out
Monarchs in oil-bearing and pipeline host communities have cried out saying they face fire from two ends. They say the government blames them when facilities are vandalized for not controlling the boys, the bad boys blame them for not getting favours for them from the government.
They opened up at a monthly forum for pipeline host communities in the eastern corridor held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, October 23, 2025 usually organized by one of the protection firms, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).
The first to open up was Samuel La Nnee, the Tai monarch (Gbeneme Tai), who said monarchs in the south are highly negelected whereas those elsewhere were well regarded and empowered to rule.
He said: “It is not easy with monarchs. Governments look up to us and blame us when things go wrong. The people especially youths look up to us and blame us when they do not get what they want from the government. So, the government blames us because of bad boys, the bad boys blame us, too. Government has refused to look after the youths, most of who are well read.
“Government security people are not helping matters because the assets are guarded by armed security agencies but these assets under their watch are still vandalized. Yet, it is monarchs they will blame.”
Speaking well on PINL, the king called for all hands to be on deck to protect assets. “Let us all join hands. PINL has touched everywhere despite us not being their contractors. What we see is more real than what we hear. So, with PINL, we have seen. Our life depends on the wealth of Nigeria and Nigeria depends on us. So, let us support PINL that secures these assets.”
Every month, he said, PINL reaches out to me. It’s not about how much. Monarchs in the Niger Delta are not like their counterparts in the north. In the north, the people look after their kings; here, the kings look after their people. You are nothing if you do not have what to give. So, PINL, government, give us to give out. Here, a councilor can shout a monarch down. So, tell the government to care for us so we can be in control. Our expectation is for this place to be like London soon.”
Read also: ponTrans-Niger pipeline protection successes: NNPCL, FG, urged to expand PINL surveillance mandate to all of Nigeria
Suporting the position of the Tai monarch, the monarch of Emuohua, Sergeant Chidi Awuse, said though it was his irst time to attend the pipeline forum but that what he saw was appealing.
He observed that the task given to PINL by the FG was very huge, to guide major income yielding assets. “I stand for truth, and I dare say that most of your mandates are for the government to carry out. How much power does a monarch have to be trusted to protect pipelines?.”
He said most of their leaders at the federal level have sold out such that if a monarch refers people to them, they ignore you. He said governors and LG bosses were even untouchable.
“Monarchs will however continue to protect assets, whether benefit is there or not. We do not get what is due us in this region
“Truth is, here we look after the people, but how far can monarchs go in this region? Tell the Government that it is time to give monarchs power and mandate to carry out their responsibilities.
“No amount of dramatisation here will give us peace if the government don’t look into the welfare of the area where these incomes are taken from. The well-being of our people are more important. This oil is our own, ” he said.
“Every community would say those who are going to break the pipelines are from your community. How much more ability do we have as traditional rulers? How much power do we think we have?”
On PINL, he said; “I think we are asking them for too much. Government must look after the area from where oil comes. The oil is ours. If oil is coming from certain regions of Nigeria, it won’t be like this; they won’t beg for the road to the port to be repaired. They treat us like conquered people.”
Commendations however poured in from monarchs and youth leaders who said a lot has changed in the region in the area of pollution.
The Eze and Oguta monarch in Imo State, Nnadi Nzeribe of Oguta, announced that the waters in his domain are now clean because of absence of kpofire that polluted the waters. He said PINL deserves commendations. “We in Oguta had a monitoring team against kpofire but security agencies did not help matters. Now, our water bodies are clean again.”
He raised issues about gas, saying it is being exported but local gas for cooking is scarce. “Please, subsidise domestic gas.”
He also asked to know where the revenue from gas was going because he was not hearing about gas but only about crude oil export.
On her part, Patricia Ogbonnaya, known as Ada Ekpeye, who spoke on behalf of Kevin Anugwo, king and Eze Ekpeye Logbo, appealed to the Federal Government to retain the services of PINL because of their operational competence.
She said PINL has done well and they can now sleep well because no more pollution.
She said: “The Nigerian government had been trying various strategies to curtail pollution and oil vandalism until PINL came and got it right. They have efficiency, integrity, humanity. I suffered effects of oil vandalism and pollution most, and now, you can get to the root. Past governments did not find solution.
“The FG is declaring more surplus. They should give more areas to PINL and higher mandate to them to execute. We do not want to hear sudden removal of a hardworking pipeline protection firm. PINL should engage local contractors instead of romancing with armed groups. The local people know everything.”
She urged the conveners to try and bring the Minister of Petroleum to the Port Harcourt forum to hear the people.
She pointed out that the company has identified with the host communities which has resulted in maximum production output.
“We want to appeal to the Federal Government that if they want these areas to grow, don’t replace PINL with another company.”
The Ekpeye team also raised issues about depleting forests due to firewood exploitation. “There is no kerosene in our areas, so firewood has returned as cooking option. Help us appeal to Government to make kerosene available.”
Legbosi Yamaabana, President of the Ogoni Youth Federation, and coordinator of the Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Youth Leaders, said PINL has done very well to the extent people now wonder how they are doing it; “But we know its through effective communication and community engagement strategies.
“Youth of the Niger Delta and Nigeria stand with PINL. It is a pacesetter in pipeline protection scheme. Other companies are now copying the template, an indication that they got it right. The youths are happy.
“Pipeline protection was going on before PINL came onto the scene but crude oil has surged.”
He disclosed that Niger Delta youths will make a statement in the coming days and demand for increase in the mandate given to PINL because the environment is cleaner now.
Read also: Secrets of crude oil rise revealed as PINL engages 35,000 youths to protect pipelines in 4 states
… Meanwhile, 2000 women listed for empowerment by TNP protection firm
Meanshile, no fewer than 2000 women from host communities on the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline would soon benefit from an entrepreneurial and financial literacy skills put together by the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).
The empowerment according to the company is for women and girls from the 215 host communities along the corridor.
Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement of PINL, disclosed this during the monthly stakeholders meeting for its host communities of Rivers, Imo and Abia States in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He said the programme is focused on small business development, financial literacy, and skills training for women and girls in the host communities.
“The PINL Women Entrepreneurs & Empowerment Initiative has completed data capturing, conducted in Port Harcourt for host communities in Abia, Imo, and Rivers States, and Yenagoa for Bayelsa communities. This program focuses on small business development, financial literacy, and skills training for women and girls,” Mezeh said.
He stated that verification of data is currently ongoing and that beneficiaries will be contacted shortly, adding; “Through the PINL Women’s Skills Development and Enterprise Program, 2,000 women are being targeted for empowerment before the year’s end”.
Reeling out other actions taken by the company so far, he said scholarship programme for youths is currently being processed for payment, with beneficiaries expected to receive disbursements by October, adding that new entries from underrepresented communities have also been added to the list.
On environmental and social impact support, Mezeh said PINL is collaborating with relevant government agencies and environmental experts on joint assessments to identify priority areas for remediation and social investment.
Acting on recommendations from the previous meeting, the PINL official said it has granted the inclusion of Biseni in Bayelsa State and other deserving communities in its surveillance engagements, adding that recommendations have been submitted to the appropriate authorities for inclusion of more communities that host critical oil and gas assets in the eastern corridor.
On security, he said: “We have strengthened our logistics, communication, and operational synergy to enhance field response and intelligence sharing, to ensure issues are logged, tracked, and resolved promptly.
Giving a scorecard of the company’s success in the last one month, Mezeh said the company has maintained zero-infractions and uninterrupted operations on the TNP, sustained oil and gas operations in the Eastern Corridor, increased host community trust fund and endured peace in the communities amongst others.
PINL informed the stakeholders also that it foiled attempts at pipeline vandalism in Bonny, Eteo (Eleme), Ikata, and Ogbo, through improved vigilance and community intelligence.
He also informed that “PINL has taken on the responsibility of providing security for all oil and gas assets in close proximity to the TNP “Pro Bono” even though they are not under its current mandate,” urging stakeholders to scale up vigilance and real time community intelligence around the assets in the interest of national security.
“We reaffirm that PINL is not just a Pipeline protection company; we are a development partner, committed to transforming lives, promoting peace, and building enduring prosperity through purposeful collaboration.”
While appreciating communities and security agencies for the support and collaboration, the company urged youths and women of the communities to remain cooperative and committed to sustaining the peace in the areas.
