Surveillance contractor warns against vandalism, others
Surveillance team on Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) guilty of sabotage will lose its contract and be prosecuted, surveillance contractor, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, has warned. General Manager of Community and Stakeholders
- From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Yenagoa
Surveillance team on Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) guilty of sabotage will lose its contract and be prosecuted, surveillance contractor, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, has warned.
General Manager of Community and Stakeholders Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, who spoke at a meeting with communities on TNP in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, warned of rising vandalism and crude oil theft.
He said preliminary investigations into two botched oil theft cases, point at a “coordinated conspiracy”, stressing no one will be spared following completion of probe.
”We’re faced with an unpleasant situation, and I must warn contractors and surveillance teams. Recently, at Atali axis – zone 4, two tankers were intercepted while attempting to load crude. It was through effectiveness of our backup intelligence system that the operation was foiled, otherwise, those trucks would have successfully loaded.
“Preliminary findings point to a coordinated conspiracy. Once investigations are concluded, anyone found culpable will be brought to justice, and no one will be spared.
“Furthermore, in Bayelsa State, at Otukpoti axis zone 9, we recorded another case of sabotage arising from negligence on the part of our surveillance guards. This is unacceptable. Let this serve as a firm warning to contractors and operatives that any act of negligence, compromise, or collusion will not be tolerated.
“Going forward, any contractor found wanting will not only lose its contract but will also face full prosecution. At the same time, we must strengthen collaboration. The community intelligence systems have enhanced information flow and improved response times”.
He promised to sustain advocacy for provision of floating petrol and gas stations in riverine communities, while seeking enhanced collaboration by host communities, security agencies, government institutions, and pipeline operators to ensure success of securing critical national assets.
He said: “At PINL, we hold firmly to one guiding principle-Community Partnership is National Security.’’
‘‘When Communities Protect Infrastructure, they Protect Livelihoods, National Revenue, and the Future of our Country”.
Mezeh highlighted the role of the nation’s energy sector in national development and economic stability.
“According to the latest operational report released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the national oil company recorded a profit after tax of N385 billion in January 2026, generating N2.571 trillion in revenue and remitting N726 billion to the Federation Account during the same period after 1.64 million barrels per day production.
“These figures demonstrate renewed operational efficiency and improved performance across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This improvement was driven largely by the successful completion of maintenance operations at key onshore facilities.
“Nigeria also recorded encouraging progress in natural gas production, which increased to 7,283 million standard cubic feet per day, compared to 6,914 million standard cubic feet per day recorded in December 2025. Gas sales strengthened as well, reaching approximately 4,978 million standard cubic feet per day, reflecting improved supply to power plants, industrial consumers, and export markets”.
Mezeh said the firm will remain committed to promoting initiatives that improve the welfare of host communities and foster inclusive participation, including capacity building training for community-based contractors, prioritizing collaboration just as he noted that security was a shared responsibility
“We’ll have more youth participation in pipeline protection activities, women-focused economic empowerment programmes, educational support through scholarship schemes.
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“Several interventions have been implemented, including, Scholarship programmes for students, Women empowerment initiatives, Medical outreach programmes, Distribution of humanitarian support and palliatives, We recognize that young people remain critical stakeholders in the future of our communities and for this reason, PINL is proposing a comprehensive Youth Skills Acquisition Programme in 2026 across our states of operations.
“We also acknowledge stakeholder feedback regarding the women empowerment programme, particularly the need for faster disbursement. And so we’ re currently working closely with Premium Trust Bank, and payments will commence as soon as possible”, Mezeh reiterated.
In a goodwill message, Chairman of the State’s Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo(Agada IV), praised the firm on its relentless efforts in developing oil and gas host communities for the better.
He hailed the firm for its various initiatives aimed at bringing succour and awareness to host communities, calling on other oil and gas companies to emulate PINL to give relief to communities within their catchment areas.
