Crude oil pollution severely hindered fishing in Ekpeye before Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) began securing the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), according to Kevin Anugwo, traditional ruler of Ekpeye in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. He spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt earlier this month.
“Before you came on board, we were unable to fish in our waters because the crude oil had taken over the place,” he said.
Anugwo, who serves as the Eze Ekpeye Logbo, noted that crude oil theft had also disrupted farming in Ekpeye communities for years. Residents have since returned to their farms and fishing waters now that the theft has been curbed.
Community partnership and economic empowerment
PINL recognised that securing a pipeline running through 215 host communities requires local cooperation. The company has employed more than 35,000 youths in surveillance operations and paid out more than N2bn in scholarships to over 1,500 students. It also meets regularly with traditional rulers, youth groups and women leaders.
During the Port Harcourt meeting—part of PINL’s bimonthly engagement with TNP host communities—General Manager, Community and Government Relations, Akpos Mezeh stated that cooperation among the company, host communities and other stakeholders is necessary to meet Nigeria’s oil and gas production targets for 2027 and 2030.
Production Targets and National Impact
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) targets crude oil production of 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million by 2030, alongside 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily by 2030. The TNP carries crude from the eastern Niger Delta to the Bonny Terminal for export.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reported crude oil and condensate output of 1.717 million barrels per day in September 2026, reaching 1.84 million barrels on its peak day. At the September average, Nigeria must add about 1.28 million barrels per day to reach the 2030 target.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) stated at a 2025 energy correspondents’ conference that Nigeria lost 13.5 million barrels to oil theft and pipeline sabotage between 2023 and 2024. However, NUPRC data show national crude theft fell from more than 102,000 barrels per day in 2021 to 9,600 barrels per day as of September 2025. PINL began work on the eastern corridor in August 2022.
Broadening local benefits and delivery rates
PINL’s mandate covers Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo and Abia states, including the TNP and the Eastern Gas Network. Mezeh noted that the firm holds regular engagements to unite traditional rulers, youth groups, community development committees and women leaders.
“More than 2,000 women have benefited from our empowerment initiatives along the Trans-Niger Pipeline corridor,” he said. He added that PINL runs an annual Christmas programme distributing food and relief items alongside medical outreach across all 215 communities.
According to Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, at the NNPC Project Monitoring Office, Omojevwhe Akponime, daily reviews showed that pipelines within PINL’s area of operation were running green. PINL reported that only about 3 per cent of crude pumped into the TNP reached Bonny Terminal when it began operations, but delivery rates rose to 98 per cent by September 2026.
The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities recently dismissed a petition against PINL and recommended extending its surveillance contract, citing reports that about 97 out of every 100 barrels pumped into the pipeline were lost prior to the firm’s engagement.
Stakeholder support and statutory compliance
Participants at the Port Harcourt meeting expressed satisfaction with PINL’s operations and urged the Federal Government to sustain and expand its contract. Eze Eberi-Ugo Omuma, Onyekachi Amaonwu, urged monarchs and community leaders to collaborate with the company. Niger Delta Ethnic Youth Leaders Forum spokesperson, Legborsi Yamaabana, thanked the Federal Government for renewing the contract.
“As Niger Delta people, we have adopted PINL as our own,” he said, adding that dissenting voices would not alter the region’s position.
Under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, upstream petroleum operators must contribute 3 per cent of their actual annual operating expenditure for the preceding financial year to Host Communities Development Trusts. PINL cautioned against allowing unverified figures or allegations to create mistrust among stakeholders.
“What we need is facts, dialogue, transparency and accountability,” the General Manager, Community and Government Relations, said. The company noted that these statutory contributions remain separate from its scholarship, employment and empowerment programmes.
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