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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
In line with its strategic engagement policy with relevant stakeholders in the fight against vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has concluded plans to enlist the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the sensitisation of youths in the region against drug abuse.
The company said the sensitisation would help curb the growing menace of drug abuse and addiction amongst youths in the region, which has led many into actions that threaten peace and productivity in the Eastern Corridor.
Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, PINL, stated this over the weekend at its November stakeholders meeting with host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bayelsa state.
He said the decision by the company followed a request by stakeholders at its previous meeting, stressing that the sensitisation will be carried out in conjunction with the NDLEA.
“We heard the appeal from our royal fathers regarding drug abuse and youth moral reorientation. PINL has initiated discussions internally on the launching of a joint awareness campaign with NDLEA to sensitize youths on drug abuse, security ethics, and productive behavior.
“This initiative will help strengthen discipline, patriotism, and responsible conduct among our young people, “ he stated.
Mezeh further informed the stakeholders that it has engaged the services of town criers to ensure proper and timely dissemination of information on activities around the TNP.
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He disclosed that their key responsibility would be to enhance communication and intelligence flow around the 215 TNP host communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, and Abia States.
”Two town criers per community, one man and one woman, have been officially launched. Their responsibilities include: disseminating verified information, supporting sensitization efforts, enhancing early-warning intelligence, acting as communication bridges between PINL contractors and community structures, “ Mezeh stated.
Giving the scorecard of its activities in the last month, Mezeh said the company has ensured uninterrupted production on the Eastern Corridor by maintaining zero infractions on the TNP, thus sustaining an increase in crude oil and gas production in the corridor.
He informed the stakeholders that in the month of October to November, Bayelsa State recorded no case of vandalism in its operational areas.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of Ijaw National Congress (INC) Western Zone, His Royal Highness, Theophilus Moses, commended the company for its commitment to community development through its corporate social responsibility programmes and job creation, and pledged the support of the INC in curbing oil theft and vandalism in the Eastern Corridor.
“We will support PINL in ending pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the Eastern Corridor, he said.
On his part, Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, called on the government and the oil companies to be deliberate about development in the Niger Delta, insisting that only that would bring lasting peace in the region.
