By David Owei

Youths from Niger Delta Communities under the Host Communities Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCON-YCN) have passed a vote of confidence on the management team of the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) led by the managing Director/Executive Officer, Osahon Okunbo Jnr over recent achievements in crude oil production above OPEC quota, protection of nation’s Oil&Gas assets.

The group also commended the managing Director/Executive Officer, Osahon Okunbo over his display of exceptional display of leadership professionalism, transparency and unwavering commitment by the PINL to protecting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas assets.

According to HOSTCON-YCN, despite ensuring that the nation’s oil and gas assets are secured, they ensured the promotion of sustainable development across host communities.

HOSTCON-YCN, in a statement issued following the successful conclusion of the National Executive Council Mid-Term Meeting and Annual Board of Trustees Review held in Abuja, noted with satisfaction, the recent recognition that improved pipeline security and community collaboration have contributed significantly to Nigeria exceeding its OPEC crude oil production quota for the first time in 2026.

According to the statement, “Industry reports have attributed this achievement to enhanced surveillance, stronger stakeholder partnerships, and improved protection of the Trans Niger Pipeline, resulting in increased crude oil production, improved operational stability, and renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.”

The HOSTCON-YCN in the statement signed by its President, Senior comrade EMMANUEL FIAWEI PATHFINDER on behalf of the members of the National Executives with the board of trustees, commended PINL for demonstrating that effective engagement with host communities remains one of the strongest weapons against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism, and economic sabotage.

“The Council particularly applauds the company’s community-driven operational model, which has strengthened peace, reduced youth restiveness in many operational areas, enhanced intelligence gathering, and built confidence between government, oil companies, traditional institutions, youths, women, and host communities.”

“The Council further acknowledges PINL’s remarkable investment in human capital development through its Host Communities Scholarship Programme.”

” The initiative has expanded from a transparent community allocation model to a broader programme covering about 1,500 scholarship beneficiaries across Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia, and Imo States.”

” The programme provides substantial financial support for undergraduate and postgraduate students, thereby creating educational opportunities for deserving youths from pipeline host communities and promoting long-term socio-economic development.”

HOSTCON-YCN equally recognised the company’s sustained implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, empowerment programmes, stakeholder consultations, community development interventions, and its continued efforts to build enduring relationships with traditional rulers, youth organisations, women groups, and other critical stakeholders throughout the Niger Delta.

“The Council specially commends the General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, and the Director of Operations and Stakeholder Engagement, Chief Seriake Alamieyeseigha, for their outstanding professionalism, strategic leadership, and tireless commitment to peaceful engagement with host communities.”

” Their dedication has helped strengthen confidence among stakeholders and has contributed significantly to the operational successes recorded by the company.”

“The Host Communities Youth Council of Nigeria also acknowledges the various empowerment initiatives targeted at women, youths, and vulnerable groups across host communities, including scholarship opportunities, skills development, community partnerships, and other social investment programmes that continue to improve livelihoods and foster sustainable development.”

Accordingly, HOSTCON-YCN called on all host communities, youths, traditional rulers, community leaders, women organisations, security agencies, government institutions, and industry stakeholders to continue supporting PINL in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure, protecting national economic assets, and sustaining the remarkable progress that has positioned Nigeria for improved crude oil production and enhanced revenue generation.

“The Council remains committed to partnering with all responsible stakeholders in promoting peace, security, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development throughout the Niger Delta.”

By David Owei

The leadership of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the NLNG Ltd have reaffirmed recommitment to deepen the existing close collaboration between the agencies, towards enhancing in-country value addition from operations of the gas processing and marketing company, for the benefit of the Nigerian economy.

This renewed commitment was made on Wednesday when the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Engr. Adeleye Falade paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe at the Board’s liaison office in Lagos.

Speaking during the visit, Falade said the company remains focused on deepening Nigerian Content, strengthening indigenous capacity and retaining greater in-country value across its gas value chain. He confirmed that ongoing construction of its Train 7 project had reached 90 percent and pre-commissioning activities had started. He said plans are afoot to commission the new facility in 2027 and increase NLNG’s overall production capacity by 35 percent.

He expressed delight that the Train 7 project had created direct employment opportunities for 16,000 persons on the site, reducing insecurity and impacting positively on the nation’s socio-economic stability.

He lauded the close collaboration between both entities, recalling that they pioneered many initiatives together for the benefit of the sector, affirming that such accomplishments would be surpassed under his leadership.

He assured that NLNG remains committed to sustained engagement with NCDMB in support of Nigerian Content development, local capacity growth, and increased participation of Nigerian companies in the oil and gas value chain. He said the company would continue to pursue partnerships that translate Nigeria’s gas resources into broader economic opportunities for businesses, professionals, service providers, and host communities.

“NLNG values its relationship with NCDMB and remains fully committed to the shared goal of strengthening Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry. As a major player in Nigeria’s gas sector, we recognise our responsibility to support indigenous capacity, grow local supply chains, and ensure that our activities continue to deliver meaningful value to the Nigerian economy,” Falade said.

He further stated that NLNG would sustain its focus on practical areas of collaboration with the Board, including vendor development, skills enhancement, technology transfer, local procurement, and value retention.

“Our commitment is to work closely with the Board in a manner that is deliberate, measurable, and impactful. We want NLNG’s operations and partnerships to continue opening doors for Nigerian businesses, building competitive local capabilities, and supporting the long-term growth of Nigeria’s gas industry,” he added.

In his response, the Executive Secretary congratulated Engr. Falade on his appointment and promised that NCDMB would support him to succeed in his role. He confirmed that NCDMB and NLNG share a relationship that is beyond regulator and operator, recalling how the Board and NLNG in June 2017 signed the first of its kind Service Level Agreement (SLA) on Nigerian Content project approval

timelines and compliance, which later became a template for the oil and gas industry.

He further charged NLNG to enhance its support on the Brass Shipyard project, which is the capacity development initiative (CDI) on the Train 7 project. He commended the company for collaborating with NCDMB on the project, which will establish a drydock facility, a key oil and gas infrastructure that will benefit of NLNG’s business as well as the entire country.

He expressed hope that the project can be completed within the tenure of the NLNG management, to create employment opportunities and infrastructural development.

The meeting formed part of NLNG’s broader engagement with key industry stakeholders and reinforced the company’s commitment to sustained collaboration, local capacity development and the advancement of Nigerian Content across the oil and gas value chain.

‎By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited- Project Monitoring Office (NNPCL-PMO) has charged  host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) to remain alert so as to guide against activities of vandals and economic saboteurs.
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‎Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor of NNPCL-PMO, Engr. Akponime Omojewve gave the charge at a stakeholders meeting convened by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for pipeline host communities in Bayelsa State.
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‎Omojewve who spoke against the reported infraction on the TNP in Odua community, Abua/Odual LGA of Rivers State, noted that Bayelsa for the last six months has recorded no infraction on the pipelines in the state.

He however, said that there was need for increased vigilance to ensure that the state continues to maintain its zero infraction ratings.
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‎The NNPCL official who noted that protecting the nation’s critical assets is a collective responsibility, urged the host communities to promptly report activities of suspicious persons around the pipeline right of way to the surveillance guards and security agencies.
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‎”We don’t have any infraction as far as the Bayelsa axis is concerned, but as much as possible, we would still like to crave your indulgence, just like what we are passing through in Odua community. We want to crave your indulgence that at any point in time, you see people that are not from your community in numbers, especially young men.
Please don’t hesitate to alert PINL or the security people, ” he appealed.
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‎Omojewve while commending the community leaders and stakeholders for their support for PINL, emphasized that early information would aid in averting any damage to the lines.
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‎Addressing the stakeholders, General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations of PINL, Dr Akpos Mezeh, stated that the peoples support has yielded great result as the TNP has remained in optimal production while helping the country to surpass the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota for the month of May, 2026.
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‎According to figures released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on 11 June, national oil output rose by 2.2 per cent in May, from 1.66 million barrels per day in April to about 1.70 million.

Crude oil production averaged 1.53 million barrels per day, above the country’s OPEC quota of 1.5 million for the first time this year.
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‎Represented by Mr. Ebikeme Andrew, Head,  Community Relations of (PINL), Mezeh said the improvement reflected stronger operational stability on the TNP, deeper community participation, and a shared resolve among government, security agencies and host communities to reject crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
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‎ “The Trans Niger Pipeline continues to record remarkable operational stability,” he said, adding that more reliable infrastructure was contributing to government revenue, energy security and investor confidence.
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‎He lamented the recent attack on the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) by suspected armed men on 15th June 2026 around the Odau axis, Zone 8 in Abua/Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State, warning that such actions have far-reaching consequences such as environmental risks, including pollution and ecosystem degradation, while also threatening the livelihoods of host communities whose economic activities depended on a safe and healthy environment.
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‎PINL therefore called on all stakeholders, community leaders, youths, contractors, surveillance personnel, and security agencies to remain vigilant and continue to work together in protecting all vital national assets.
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‎Dr. John-John Onyifie, a stakeholder in Yenagoa called for the introduction of “check the checker” principle amongst the security agents and surveillance guards securing the pipelines to eliminate the chances of insider conspiracy.

He regretted the damage to the lines in Odau community, assuring that Bayelsa communities would remain vigilante and ensure that nobody tampers with the lines.