Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has announced plans to empower no fewer than 2,000 women from host communities along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) through its Women Entrepreneurs and Empowerment Initiative. The programme aims to strengthen women’s participation in local economies by providing small business development support, financial literacy, and vocational training.
According to the company, the initiative targets women and girls from over 215 host communities across Rivers, Imo, Abia, and Bayelsa States. The General Manager of Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement, Akpos Mezeh, disclosed this during a monthly stakeholders’ meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Mezeh explained that data capturing for participants has been completed in Port Harcourt for communities in Abia, Imo, and Rivers States, as well as in Yenagoa for Bayelsa communities. Verification of the data is currently underway, and beneficiaries will be contacted soon. “Through the PINL Women’s Skills Development and Enterprise Programme, 2,000 women are being targeted for empowerment before the year’s end,” he said.
He added that the company’s scholarship programme for youths is in its final stages of processing, with disbursements expected by October. New entries from previously underrepresented communities have also been added to ensure inclusivity.
On environmental and social development, Mezeh noted that PINL is working with government agencies and environmental experts to identify key areas requiring remediation and social investment. He also revealed that the company has approved the inclusion of Biseni in Bayelsa State and other deserving communities in its surveillance engagements, with recommendations submitted to authorities for further community inclusion.
On security matters, he highlighted that PINL has strengthened logistics, communication, and operational coordination to improve field response and intelligence sharing. The company, he said, successfully foiled several pipeline vandalism attempts in Bonny, Eteo (Eleme), Ikata, and Ogbo through enhanced vigilance and community cooperation.
Providing a scorecard of its recent performance, Mezeh stated that PINL maintained zero infractions and uninterrupted operations on the TNP over the past month, sustained host community trust funds, and preserved peace across its areas of operation.
He further emphasised that the company remains committed to transparency, youth employment, education, healthcare, and environmental protection initiatives, working closely with all tiers of government to achieve sustainable socio-economic impact.
“PINL is not just a pipeline protection company; we are a development partner committed to transforming lives, promoting peace, and building enduring prosperity through purposeful collaboration,” Mezeh said, while commending communities and security agencies for their continued cooperation.
He urged stakeholders to remain vigilant and strengthen community intelligence to safeguard vital oil and gas assets, stressing that PINL’s work extends beyond its core mandate as it continues to provide security support for nearby infrastructure “pro bono” in the interest of national security.
