The Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), which recently experienced an explosion, has been successfully restored to full operation, with normal crude oil supplies resuming to the Bonny oil terminal.
This development was confirmed by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), an indigenous pipeline surveillance and maintenance firm.
According to PINL, the swift restoration of the pipeline was made possible due to the collaboration and support of host communities in the affected areas. Their cooperation played a crucial role in expediting repairs and ensuring that operations resumed without prolonged disruptions.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, Akpos Meze, expressed gratitude to the host communities in Abia, Imo, and Rivers States for their assistance in the restoration process. He reiterated the company’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with the 215 host communities along the TNP corridor.
Meze outlined PINL’s ongoing and future initiatives aimed at empowering these communities, including skill acquisition programs, scholarships, and various youth development schemes. He emphasized that these initiatives were designed to create long-term economic opportunities for local residents and contribute to sustainable community development.
“In the coming month, we will deploy our teams to selected locations to conduct medical outreach programs for indigent residents who may lack access to healthcare services. Additionally, we are investing in infrastructure projects such as piped water systems for some host communities. For example, we have already implemented a water supply system for the Asarama community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State,” Meze stated.
Leaders from the host communities commended PINL for its continuous engagement and security efforts in protecting the pipeline, recognizing its role in maintaining national energy security. The traditional ruler of Eleme Kingdom, King Philip Obelle, acknowledged PINL’s contributions but also urged the company to advocate for the concerns of the host communities at the federal level.
“Our communities continue to suffer from the environmental impact of oil exploration. We are experiencing serious health challenges due to pollution, including acid rain, which has been corroding rooftops and affecting our overall well-being. The government must take urgent action to address these environmental issues,” Obelle stated.
Additionally, Dr. Kennedy West, President of the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationalities in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to fulfill its obligations under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He urged the NNPCL to ensure that all provisions designed to support and develop host communities are fully implemented, stressing that adherence to the PIA framework is crucial for fostering long-term stability and equitable resource distribution in the Niger Delta region.
With the TNP now fully operational, stakeholders remain hopeful that ongoing dialogue and developmental initiatives will continue to strengthen relationships between oil companies and host communities, paving the way for sustainable growth and improved living conditions in the region.
