Omiete Joseph
As part of its adopted strategy to encourage host communities of Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), a surveillance contractor, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has commenced the distribution of palliatives to 215 communities in the Niger Delta Region.
The PINL through its consultant, Learn and Leadwise Resources Limited, explained that the gesture which is held in four states of the region, including; Abia, Bayelsa, Imo and Rivers States is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the host oil pipeline communities.
Briefing journalists on the activities yesterday, in Port Harcourt, the Chief Executive Officer of Learn and Leadwise Resources Limited, Miss Deborah Okunbo said 3 years after the commencement of operations as surveillance contractor of the TNP, PINL has continued a robust relationship with the communities which has ensured safety of the pipelines.
Okunbo disclosed that the surveillance firm engage in the employment of youths of the host communities at the different levels of the surveillance job thus creating thousands of employments for youths in the various host communities.
She said “In addition the company has maintained a constant interaction with paramount rulers, chiefs, community development committee (CDC ) chairmen, youths and women leaders to strategies with them on the fight against pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and illegal refining (Kpo fire).
“Recently the company embarked on the biometrics capturing of these community leaders to update the data base and ensure that no community leaders is left behind in its community relations and empowerment programme.
“PINL as a responsible and caring company always comes handy at times of disasters to provide succour and comfort to affected host communities. During the recent flood experienced across some communities, the company reached out with relief materials to affected communities to assist their recovery and healing process.
“Needless to say, that this strategy has yielded results shown by the drastic reduction in the frequency of pipeline infractions and other nefarious activities of crude oil theft and Kpo fire across its various host communities”.
She explained that the goal of PINL is to give the communities sense of ownership of the pipelines in order to end infractions on the pipelines, further increase daily production and ultimately improve the economy for the benefit of the entire country and citizens.
“So today we are commencing another round of activities aimed at achieving the above objectives. Over the past two weeks we have been visiting key traditional rulers to sensitise them on the plans and to have their buy-in on the modus operandi of the programme. And at this juncture it pertinent to note that what we are commencing today was done after due consultations with the different benefiting communities by way of needs assessment.
So, over the next nine months we the consultants to PINL in collaboration with the company, will be carrying out different types of outreach programmes as part of the bouquet of the CSR engagements”.
Speaking during distribution of palliatives to 21 communities in Rivers State, yesterday, Okunbo said: “Today, we are going to Tai local government, we are meeting to serve Eleme, Gokana, Tai and Bonny communities. All the communities in that particular axis are meeting us at Tai LGA today. We are giving out 50kg bags of rice, beans, garri and biscuit for the children because of the yuletide season. At least one community will be going home with almost 20 bags of the combination of the listed items.
“For the flood affected communities, we have relief materials and other palliatives that are not just food. Alongside the food, we have matrasses, blankets, additional foods; like salt, vegetable oil, Indomie noodles to cushion the effects of the flood on those communities”.
She added that “PINL is distributing palliatives to about 35 communities; cutting across Bonny, Andoni, Gokana, Tai and Eleme. We intend to give out these palliatives to 215 communities across Rivers, Abia, Imo and Bayelsa”.
Other incentives planned for the communities by PINL include; medical outreaches, skills Acquisition training programmes, award of scholarships, others.