MOSIEND Hails Oil Firm Over Engagement With Host Communities
Edith CHUKU
Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited PINL, recent engagement with communities hosting the Trans Niger Pipeline has been highly commended by stakeholders in the oil rich Niger Delta region.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta MOSIEND, gave their commendation while expressing the belief that PINL’s stakeholders engagement would advance community development and pipeline security.
MOSIEND also noted that the initiative has reaffirmed the oil firm’s dedication to transparency, accountability and meaningful community collaboration.
Speaking on behalf of the foremost mass mobilization organisation, the National President Mr. Kennedy Tonjo West, acknowledged, “the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL for its strategic decision to engage PINL, a highly competent and experienced firm, to secure the Trans Niger Pipeline.
“We note that since assuming this role, PINL has made remarkable progress in pipeline security, conflict resolution, and corporate social responsibility.
“We also wish to state that their contributions have significantly boosted our nation’s economic development and improved the quality of life of the host communities.
“The stakeholders’ meeting, which brought together monarchs, chiefs, men, women, and youth leaders from various communities, underscored PINL’s commitment to community development.
“We reckon that the unanimous vote of confidence passed by stakeholders is a testament of PINL’s outstanding performance and credibility and look forward to continued excellence in pipeline security and community development.”
MOSIEND urged the federal government to “take a holistic approach and ensure transparency in implementing the community development component of the Petroleum Industry Act because host communities are still battling the neglect experience that led to the cry for a better governing policy which gave birth to the Act after several alterations and reviews.
“The government should be firm concerning cases of obsolete pipes and other equipment in use by industry practitioners, it has contributed to leakages and is responsible for some of the recent explosions due to wear and tear of the pipes.”
The pan Niger Delta group also condemned the actions of some operators who rather than accept the liabilities of their failed equipment, hide under allegations of vandalization, accuse communities of negligence in order to avoid clean-up and paying of compensation.
Further, the group extended appreciation to the national security adviser, the chief of defence staff, and other security agencies for what they described as their unwavering support.
MOSIEND noted that “their collaborative efforts have been instrumental in curbing the upsurge of pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and illegal bunkering.
“We urge the youths to shun illegal activities such as pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and illegal bunkering to preserve a clean and sustainable environment that will foster job creation and improved economic opportunities for our people.”
