Over 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 initiative—The PINL Women Entrepreneurs & Empowerment Programme—aims to equip women with practical business skills, financial education, and enterprise support to help them build sustainable livelihoods within their communities.
Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement at PINL, 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,” Mezeh stated.
“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.”
Education, Youth Empowerment, and Environmental Commitment
Dr. Mezeh also revealed that PINL’s youth scholarship programme for host communities is being finalized, with disbursement of funds expected in October. New entries from underrepresented communities, he said, have been added to ensure broader participation and equitable benefit.
On environmental and social initiatives, Mezeh confirmed that PINL is collaborating with relevant government agencies and environmental experts to conduct joint assessments—identifying key 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 said.
Security and Operational Integrity
Speaking on security, Mezeh highlighted the company’s enhanced collaboration with local stakeholders, security agencies, and community surveillance teams—measures that have helped maintain zero infractions and uninterrupted operations on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
“We have strengthened logistics, communication, and field intelligence-sharing to ensure issues are logged, tracked, and resolved promptly,” he said.
“These efforts have resulted in sustained peace across host communities, improved oil and gas output, and the lowest crude losses in over sixteen years.”
Mezeh added that all verified pending payments raised by dedicated community leaders have been fully reconciled and processed, reinforcing PINL’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He further disclosed that, in recent weeks, PINL teams—working closely with community intelligence networks—foiled multiple attempts at pipeline vandalism in Bonny, Eteo (Eleme), Ikata, and Ogbo.
Expanding Community Coverage and National Impact
Following stakeholder recommendations, Mezeh announced the inclusion of Biseni in Bayelsa State and other deserving communities in the company’s surveillance and development engagements. Additional recommendations for the inclusion of more communities hosting critical oil and gas assets have also been submitted to the relevant authorities.
“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 added.
Sustaining Peace, Building Prosperity
Dr. Mezeh reaffirmed PINL’s long-term vision of building trust-based partnerships with its host communities through sustainable programs in education, youth employment, healthcare, and environmental protection.
“We are not just a pipeline protection company,” he emphasized. “We are a development partner—committed to transforming lives, promoting peace, and building enduring prosperity through purposeful collaboration.”
He thanked host communities and security agencies for their continued cooperation and urged youths and women to remain committed to preserving peace and stability in the region.
About PINL
Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) is a leading energy infrastructure and asset protection company dedicated to ensuring the security, integrity, and sustainability of vital national pipelines. Through continuous stakeholder engagement and community-led initiatives, PINL fosters long-term partnerships that promote peace, inclusivity, and shared growth across Nigeria’s oil and gas corridor.
