In a significant pre-Christmas gesture, private security firm Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has launched a major Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in the Niger Delta, directly engaging communities to bolster the protection of critical oil infrastructure.
Medical Outreach and Palliatives Reach Over 800 Beneficiaries
The programme, which took place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, saw more than 800 individuals from 60 host communities benefit from free medical services and essential supplies. The beneficiaries were drawn from the three local government areas traversed by the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP): Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Yenagoa.
This outreach forms a core part of PINL's community relations strategy. The company is tasked with securing the Eastern Corridor of the TNP. Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL's General Manager for Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement, personally oversaw the distribution of palliatives on 20 December 2025.
A Reward for Community Partnership and Pipeline Security
Dr. Mezeh clarified that the initiative was a token of appreciation for the communities' support, which has been crucial in achieving zero infractions on the TNP over the past year. He stated the effort also aimed to cushion the effects of the harsh economic climate and the recurring negative impact of flooding in the region.
"That's why we have come here to distribute these items to you," Dr. Mezeh said, "and I want to thank and urge you to continue to maintain the momentum in the fight against pipeline vandalism." He appealed directly to the youth to sustain this peace, enabling the Federal Government to meet its 2026 oil production targets.
The company announced plans to extend this palliative distribution across all 216 communities within its operational area, spanning Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, and Abia states.
Healthcare Brought to the Doorstep
Dr. Sokaribo Oweredaba, Head of the PINL Medical Team, provided details of the health intervention. He confirmed that beneficiaries received basic but critical medical services, including:
- Eye tests
- Blood sugar screenings
- Awareness sessions on common local ailments
"This period is a difficult time for everyone, and bringing healthcare closer to the people matters a lot," Dr. Oweredaba noted, encouraging communities to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Monarchs Pledge Continued Cooperation
The response from community leaders was overwhelmingly positive. HRH Chief Darious Job, Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Council of Chiefs, commended PINL for remembering the host communities during a critical time.
Speaking on behalf of the communities, the monarch assured PINL of continued partnership and gave a firm promise regarding pipeline security. "The communities are happy, and I am promising that in 2026, there will be no infraction on the lines," Chief Job declared.
He also used the occasion to call on other companies operating in the region to emulate PINL's community-centric approach. "PINL is working with the communities," he emphasized, highlighting the model of cooperation that has yielded tangible results.
