Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has attributed the recent surge in oil production and overall progress in Nigeria's oil and gas sector to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including host communities, surveillance firms, traditional leaders, and security agencies. Dr. Akpos Mezeh, the General Manager of Community Relations and Stakeholders Management at PINL, made this known during the monthly stakeholders meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Dr. Mezeh emphasized the importance of partnership and dialogue over conflict and disruption. He spoke during the presentation of cheques to over 1,000 women as part of initiatives aimed at enhancing women empowerment, investing in education through scholarship schemes, and improving grievance management and conflict resolution systems. He noted that recent reports from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) indicated significant advancements in the sector, with a profit after tax of approximately ₦276 billion in March 2026 alone. The reports also showed an increase in national crude oil production and gas production.
Furthermore, Dr. Mezeh revealed that Nigeria met 99.2% of its 1.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) OPEC quota of crude oil in May 2026, representing a 7.58% increase compared to March. He stressed that stability, cooperation, and the protection of pipeline infrastructure have tangible economic benefits for the nation. He said, “Recent performance reports released by NNPCL on May 5, 2026 indicate that Nigeria recorded significant progress in the oil and gas sector. In March 2026 alone, NNPCL recorded a profit after tax of approximately ₦276 billion as national crude oil production continued to increase alongside remarkable growth in gas production.”
He added, “Another report from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on May 12, 2026 highlights that Nigeria met 99.2% of its 1.5mbpd OPEC quota of crude oil. The figure also represents a 7.58% increase when compared to the month of March. The peak production in April was 1.85mbpd while the lowest production for the month was 1.46mbpd. These figures are not ordinary statistics. They are direct evidence that stability, cooperation, and effective protection of pipeline infrastructure produce measurable economic benefits for our nation and our people.”
Dr. Mezeh further stated, “Behind every increase in production lies the sacrifice and cooperation of communities, surveillance teams, traditional rulers, security agencies, and other stakeholders who have chosen partnership. At PINL, we strongly believe that host communities are not outsiders in the oil and gas industry; they are critical partners in progress. When communities are empowered, respected, and included, they naturally become defenders of national assets. We are proud to state that our collective efforts have continued to yield positive results across operational corridors. Incidents of pipeline vandalism have reduced significantly, intelligence gathering has improved, and stakeholder engagement has become more productive and inclusive, with zero infractions recorded in the last one month on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP). These achievements are possible because of the synergy between PINL, community leaders, stakeholders, surveillance personnel, and security agencies.”
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to our correspondent, including Anderson Timinipere and Favour Tarimotimi, lauded PINL for the initiatives, saying they will go a long way to alleviate their sufferings in the community.
