• Bayelsa monarch demands more funds for surveillance firm
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
Ex-agitators under the first phase of the amnesty programme have pledged their total support to oil surveillance firm, Pipelines Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in its quest to achieve zero pipeline vandalism and bring peace to the Niger Delta region.
Speaking at the monthly stakeholders meeting organised by PINL management, Chairman of the group, Jacob Brave, said having seen the potential of PINL, they have resolved to support them in bringing peace to the region.
While expressing disappointment that the real freedom fighters in the creek have been neglected, Brave, popularly called ‘Creek Lion’, said the group was capable of taking care of the country’s “We have been called to this place because they have seen our grievances and today I know our presence as freedom fighters here is for good purpose. I know that peace will reign in our region and the country at large. I have assured the people, the company and the organisation that from today I will make sure, I and my people will bring that everlasting peace to this Niger Delta region,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, urged the federal government to increase funding for PINL to enable the company to strengthen pipeline security in the Niger Delta.
Dakolo maintained that increased funding for pipeline protection would enable more resources to reach host communities, thereby addressing some of the socio-economic factors contributing to pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
Dakolo, who is the paramount ruler of Ekpetiama Kingdom, said pipeline security would become easier when communities hosting oil and gas infrastructure have greater access to resources and opportunities.
Earlier in his opening address, the PINL’s General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said Nigeria’s ambition to emerge as Africa’s energy hub depends on securing the nation’s critical oil and gas infrastructure, reaffirming its commitment to community-based pipeline protection.
He said sustained collaboration among host communities, security agencies and government institutions had significantly improved the protection of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), the Eastern Gas Network and other critical national assets.
He said the forum came on the heels of the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) by ECOWAS Heads of State at a summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The proposed 6,900-kilometre pipeline, according to him, was designed to transport 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Nigeria to Morocco through 13 countries, with interconnections to landlocked Sahel countries.
He said: “Nigeria’s energy sector is building a new regional energy future, distinguished stakeholders, Nigeria’s oil and gas industry continues to record remarkable milestones that reinforce the importance of safeguarding our critical energy infrastructure.
“Just a few weeks ago, history was made when the Heads of State of ECOWAS member States signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) during the ECOWAS Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
“This landmark agreement establishes the sovereign framework for one of Africa’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects, a nearly 6,900-kilometre gas pipeline stretching from Nigeria to Morocco through thirteen Atlantic coastal countries, with interconnections to the landlocked Sahel nations.”