The management of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has approved a total of 646 scholarships and other packages for the 215 communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

The announcement was made by PINL’s Community Relations Executive, Seriaki Alamieseigha, during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting. 

The meeting convened in Port Harcourt for Rivers, Abia and Imo Communities was aimed at reviewing the operations of the company on the Trans Niger Pipeline TNP.

Alamieseigha also noted ongoing strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening community relations, security of the local people and empowering of women.

He said: “I bring good news from PINL. Management has approved scholarship for 3 persons per community bringing the total to 645 persons across board and it is to take effect immediately.

“Also, management has partnered with the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, in building a facility to address challenges with regards to investigations and prosecution across the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP. Also, there is a proposal for a skill acquisition designed for women underway”.

He noted that the company’s collaboration with the host communities have led to significant boost in oil production and called for increased synergy.

“I thank you for this collaborative effort to boost oil production inline with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With your collaboration and with your effort, we’ve been able to see economic growth in the nation,” he added.

On his part, the Director of Energy Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, warned against illegal bunkering activities emphasizing that anyone found guilty of such acts would be prosecuted and imprisoned.

Flag-Amachree who was represented by Young Harry Amakiri, noted that the Office of the National Security Council has already prosecuted over 100 individuals involved in these criminal activities.

He appealed to stakeholders and community leaders to talk their children and youths to desist from vandalism. 

“We want to plead with you to talk to our brothers, we all know these persons involved in these acts. Talk them out of these, it would help, because the business is not as usual as before, it has changed.

“As I’m talking to you, more than 100 persons have been prosecuted, who you are doesn’t matter, even though you are a general in the army, you are a military personnel, whatever you are, if you are found guilty, you are going in for it,” he warned.