Ambassador Emeni Ibe, JP, AP, President General of notable Niger Delta socio-cultural group, the Orashi National Congress, ONC, has commended the operators of the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, for recording uninterrupted operations with zero infractions and vandalism during the period under review.
Amb. Ibe gave the commendation at the August 2026 Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum in Port Harcourt, convened by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, the integrated pipeline infrastructure company responsible for managing the Eastern Corridor of the TNP.
Addressing journalists after the forum, Amb. Ibe said the feat reflects the impact of sustained engagement between PINL, host communities, security agencies, and traditional institutions.
He urged other pipeline operators across the Niger Delta to adopt similar community-focused models to guarantee the safety of national assets.
Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations at PINL, disclosed that the Eastern Corridor recorded no vandalism during the period under review.
He noted that while there were isolated cases of attempted sabotage and equipment failure, rapid response teams restored affected facilities promptly. Security agencies, he added, have also arrested suspects linked to some of the incidents.
Engr. Akponime Omojevwhe, Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, at the NNPC Limited Project Monitoring Office, confirmed the record and commended communities within the Emohua axis for their cooperation.
He appealed to host communities to sustain the partnership, stressing that dependable national infrastructure translates directly into national income.
The forum came shortly after ECOWAS Heads of State signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a proposed 6,900-kilometre line linking Nigeria to Morocco through 13 West African coastal countries.
NNPC Limited also reported a ₦535 billion profit after tax in June 2026. The company has secured more than US$20 billion in gas sale and purchase agreements over the past year, covering 1.29 billion standard cubic feet per day for long-term LNG feed gas and a further 750 million standard cubic feet per day for domestic industrial supply.
Other key projects nearing completion include the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben and Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipelines, while the ANOH Gas Processing Plant has been commissioned.
Dr. Mezeh said investments of this scale depend on pipelines that remain in service. He credited collaboration with host communities, traditional rulers, and security agencies as critical to the Eastern Corridor’s stability.
His Majesty, Ohna Seargent Awuse, Paramount Ruler of Emohua Kingdom, applauded PINL’s approach to community relations.
“Before now, we only hear stories of vandalism. But you have ensured safety of those pipelines,” the monarch said.
PINL announced that its scholarship scheme for students from host communities will run annually for the duration of its Federal Government contract. The company also unveiled plans to expand youth and women empowerment, entrepreneurship, and skills acquisition programmes.
In his remarks, Amb. Ibe appealed to PINL to include the Orashi National Congress in its empowerment initiatives to ensure wider reach and impact across ONC communities within the pipeline corridor.
The ONC President General reaffirmed the Congress’ commitment to supporting efforts that protect critical national infrastructure and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
