PINL Closes 2025 With Niger Delta’s Largest Christmas CSR Programme
Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has concluded 2025 with what it describes as the Niger Delta’s largest Christmas corporate social responsibility (CSR) intervention, delivering free medical services and food palliatives to host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The initiative benefitted thousands of residents across Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Yenagoa Local Government Areas, with participants drawn from over 60 communities. The outreach forms part of PINL’s ongoing commitment to community development as the private security firm responsible for securing the Eastern Corridor of the TNP.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement at PINL, said the programme was designed both as a gesture of appreciation and a strategic investment in community wellbeing.
According to him, Bayelsa State has recorded zero pipeline infractions over the past year—a milestone he attributed to strong collaboration between PINL and host communities.
“Bayelsa has demonstrated excellence and capacity. One year on, there has been no pipeline infraction across the state. That is worth celebrating. This outreach is our way of saying thank you to our chief partners—the communities—who have remained committed to protecting national assets and combating pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft,” Mezeh said.
He added that the programme was also aimed at easing the impact of current economic pressures and recurring environmental challenges, particularly flooding, which frequently affects riverine communities.
“We recognise the need for both healthcare support and food assistance in these communities. That is why we are here—to provide relief and to encourage the continued momentum in safeguarding the pipeline,” he said.
Mezeh further appealed to community youths to sustain their cooperation, noting that uninterrupted pipeline operations are critical to achieving the Federal Government’s oil production targets for 2026.
“With the current momentum, we believe the production targets will be met. Continued partnership is essential,” he stated.
He announced that the palliatives would be distributed across all 216 communities within PINL’s operational footprint, spanning Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, and Abia States.
Providing details of the medical outreach, Dr. Sokaribo Oweredaba, Head of the PINL Medical Team, disclosed that no fewer than 800 individuals received free medical care during the Bayelsa phase alone.
“We conducted eye tests, blood sugar checks, treated basic ailments, provided eyeglasses, and made referrals where necessary. At a time like this, bringing healthcare closer to the people is critical,” Oweredaba said.
Speaking on behalf of the host communities, HRH Chief Darious Job, Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Council of Chiefs, commended PINL for its sustained engagement and support.
“We thank PINL for remembering the communities at this critical time. This is a model of how companies should work with their host communities,” he said.
The monarch assured the company of continued collaboration, adding, “The communities are happy, and I can confidently say that in 2026, there will be no infractions on the pipeline.”
Following the Yenagoa exercise, the CSR programme continues with visits to Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Secretariat, Emohua Local Government Secretariat, Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, Tai Local Government Secretariat in Sakpenwa, and concludes at St. Paul’s Primary School Field, Ahoada, on December 23.
