More than 2,000 women and girls across 215 host communities along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) are set to benefit from a comprehensive entrepreneurship and financial literacy program initiated by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL). The PINL Women Entrepreneurs & Empowerment Programme will equip the female gender with practical business skills, financial education, and enterprise support to help them make ends meet within their communities.
General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement at PINL, Dr Akpos Mezeh, announced the development during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting with representatives from host communities in Rivers, Imo, and Abia States.
“We have completed data capturing in Port Harcourt for host communities across Abia, Imo, and Rivers States, and in Yenagoa for Bayelsa communities. Verification is now underway, and beneficiaries will soon be contacted.
Through this initiative, 2,000 women will receive empowerment before the end of the year—marking a major step in PINL’s commitment to gender inclusion and local enterprise development,” he said.
Education, Youth Empowerment, and Environmental Commitment:
Dr Akpos disclosed that the company’s youth scholarship programme for host communities is being finalized, with disbursement of funds expected in October.
According to him, fresh entries have been taken from underrepresented communities to guarantee broader participation and equitable benefit.
He confirmed that PINL is partnering with relevant government agencies and environmental experts to identify crucial areas for remediation and social investment across the corridor.
“Our goal is not only to sustain safe operations but to ensure that our footprint in these communities leaves lasting social and environmental value,” he continued.
Security and Operational Integrity:
Dr Akpos Mezeh further emphasised that PINL’s improved collaboration with local stakeholders, security agencies, and community surveillance teams has helped the company maintain smooth operations on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
“We have strengthened logistics, communication, and field intelligence-sharing to ensure issues are logged, tracked, and resolved promptly.
These efforts have resulted in sustained peace across host communities, improved oil and gas output, and the lowest crude losses in over sixteen years,” he stated.
Revealing that all verified pending payments raised by dedicated community leaders have been settled, he reaffirmed PINL’s dedication to transparency and accountability.
He noted that in recent weeks, the PINL team has collaborated with community intelligence networks to frustrate several attempts at pipeline vandalism in Bonny, Eteo (Eleme), Ikata, and Ogbo.
Expanding Community Coverage and National Impact:
After stakeholder recommendations, Akpos announced that Biseni in Bayelsa State and other deserving communities have been included in PINL’s surveillance and development engagements.
More recommendations for the inclusion of additional communities hosting key oil and gas assets have been submitted to the relevant authorities as well.
“Beyond our mandate, PINL has voluntarily taken responsibility for providing security for oil and gas assets in close proximity to the TNP—pro bono—as part of our broader contribution to national energy security,” Mezeh said.
Sustaining Peace, Building Prosperity:
The General Manager reiterated PINL’s long-term vision of building trust-based collaboration with its host communities via sustainable programs in education, youth employment, healthcare, and environmental protection.
Thanking host communities and security agencies for their continued cooperation, he urged youths and women to stay committed to preserving peace and stability in the region.
“We are not just a pipeline protection company.
We are a development partner—committed to transforming lives, promoting peace, and building enduring prosperity through purposeful collaboration,” he added.
