The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Gwabin Musa
By Samuel Ogude
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Gwabin Musa has charged host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline(TNP) to protect and guard jealously the national assets in their various communities. General Musa stated this at the monthly stakeholders’ engagement which was hosted by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to him, the consequences of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism are grievous to the communities themselves as it does not constitute health hazards but destruct both economic and aquatic life of people in these areas. General Musa who was represented by Navy Captain Lassie Audi Ozovehe commended PINL for its continued efforts in pipeline security, especially its record of zero infractions on the TNP, adding, the company’s achievements are worth commendable. He said :”These assets are on your land. You will benefit from them if you protect them. If you break a pipeline, the environmental and health hazards will affect the community more than the oil companies”.
On the engagement of the organization, General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations for PINL, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said the company’s surveillance responsibilities have been expanded beyond the TNP to cover gas infrastructure and all national oil and gas assets within the Eastern Corridor.
Speaking further; “The expansion reflects the trust placed on the organization by the authorities just as he said that PINL’s model—grounded in timely salary payments, safety of personnel, and swift dispute resolution—has helped reduce downtime and increased stakeholder trust”.
Continuing: “Our success on the TNP is a direct result of strong collaboration with host communities, consistent operational strategy, and the commitment of our teams on the ground.” Mezeh said;
“Although the organization has made steady progress, there are still challenges that are being faced, which, according to him, include intelligence gaps, threats to surveillance teams and internal community leadership crisis”.
According to Mezeh, the company has continued to align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the sustainability and development of host communities which is the Federal Government’s mantra. On their part, Traditional Rulers and Community representatives at the meeting, praised PINL’s role in reducing pipeline infractions just as they urged the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other stakeholders to go extra mile in attending to the needs of people living in oil-producing areas to have a better living standards.
Not left out is the Chairman of Ijaw Youth Council( Eastern Zone), Prince Datolu Sokubo. He said there should be more inclusiveness approach to address both infrastructural, security and human welfare. “Without our co-operation, no infrastructure is safe. You can’t protect the pipelines without prioritizing our people”, he stated.
On his part, the Chairman of the Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, Mene Suanu Timothy Baridam condemned the persistent environmental degradation caused by pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering, which he said has further impoverished the people in the area. The Ada Ekpeye- Logbo of Ekpeye Kingdom, Dr Patricia Ogbonnaya called on IOCs to stop gas flaring and urged PINL to help amplify the health and environmental concerns of the communities.
The highlight of the programme was renewed commitment from PINL and host communities for more co-operation, strengthen surveillance efforts, and promote peace and development across the region.