By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.
Chairman, First Phase Ex-Agitators Forum, Mr Jacob Braveman, popularly called Colonel Braveman, has assured Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, a surveillance firm in charge of the Eastern Corridor of the Trans-Niger Pipeline(TNP), of the continued support of members of the group in the security and protection of oil and gas facilities under the watch of the firm.
The ex-Agitators gave the assurances during the firm’s August Stakeholders meeting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The group stated that it was impressed with the way and manner the firm was handling its engagement with stakeholders, noting that people from all facets of the PINL’S catchment area of operation were part of its engagement and outreach programmes, hence their pledge for continued support for the firm to boost oil and gas production output and generate adequate revenue for the Government.
He said: “We want to guarantee PINL our continued partnership with them towards the protection of oil and gas pipelines and related facilities under its catchment area of operation as a surveillance firm. PINL is one company that has evolved a special model of engagement with stakeholders within the Eastern corridor of the Trans-Niger Pipeline. And because of its operation model there’s relatively low rate of vandalism and worries from communities where it operates.
“PINL, thanks for carrying everybody along. As ex-Agitators we’re the ones who know the rivers and creeks where these pipelines criss-cross, but for carrying everyone along in your dealings, we want to reassure you of our unpretending synergy so that Nigeria could sustain and even surpass its OPEC allotted quarter in the production of oil”.
In his remarks, Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and the Ibenanowei of Ekpetiama clan, King Bubaraye Dakolo(Agada IV), praised the firm for contributing to the peace and stability of the oil-rich Nicer Delta region through its stakeholders engagement frontiers and sundry areas of interventions, especially on its reach out programmes and scholarship scheme.
The monarch, while cautioning against third-party interference on oil pipelines, also charged the firm not to be derailed by the activities of certain sister firms which he alleged do not put stakeholders into consideration while executing their jobs.
In his address, PINL’S General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, averred that in the past number of months, operations across the TNP and the Eastern Gas Network were largely uninterrupted due to sustained collaboration with security agencies, contractors and members of host communities.
He mentioned that the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, designed to move 30 billion cubic metres of gas a year from Nigeria to Morocco and now covered by a sovereign framework agreed by ECOWAS Heads of State, depends on the same conditions.
He said: “World-class energy infrastructure can only thrive where pipelines are secure, communities are peaceful, and stakeholders work together. We sincerely appreciate your continued partnership and unwavering support in protecting the Trans Niger Pipeline, the Eastern Gas Network and other critical national assets. Your collaboration has contributed immensely to improved operational stability.
“Nigeria’s oil and gas industry continues to record remarkable milestones that reinforce the importance of safeguarding our critical energy infrastructure. Just a few weeks ago, history was made when the Heads of State of ECOWAS Member States signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) during the ECOWAS Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone”.
Also Speaking, Director-General, Bayelsa State Centre for Youth Development, Comrade Robert Igali lauded the management of the firm for its community-friendly policies and programmes which he said has ensured greater participation of stakeholders in the security and protection of oil and gas pipelines across the Eastern Corridor of the Trans-Niger Pipeline.
Giving his remarks, a representative of the Project Monitoring Office of the NNPCL, Engr. Akponime Omojevwhe thanked the Stakeholders for their collaboration with the firm, noting that that there was no case of infraction and vandalism during the period under review was as a result of stakeholders willingness to synergize with PINL in its quest to increase the production of oil and gas for the economic benefit of the nation.
