The Director of Energy Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, has warned against illegal bunkering activities, emphasizing that anyone found guilty of such acts will be prosecuted and imprisoned, no matter how highly placed.

Flag-Amachree, represented by Young Harry Amakiri, noted that the Office of the National Security Council has already prosecuted over 100 individuals involved in oil bunkering activities and pipeline vandalism.

Flag-Amachree stated this during the monthly stakeholders’ meeting convened by the management of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The stakeholders who attended the meeting were drawn from oil communities in Rivers, Abia, and Imo States, and the meeting aimed to review the company’s operations on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

Speaking further, Amachree appealed to stakeholders and community leaders to advise their children and youths to desist from vandalism.

“We want to plead with you to talk to our brothers. We all know these persons involved in these acts. Talk them out of these—it would help—because the business is not as usual as before; it has changed.

“As I’m talking to you, more than 100 persons have been prosecuted. Who you are doesn’t matter; even if you are a general in the army, a military personnel, whatever you are, if you are found guilty, you are going in for it,” he warned.

Meanwhile, PINL has announced a total of 646 scholarships and other packages for the 215 communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

This was disclosed by PINL’s Community Relations Executive, Seriaki Alamieseigha, who noted that ongoing strategic partnerships aim to strengthen community relations, improve local security, and empower women.

“I bring good news from PINL. Management has approved scholarships for three persons per community, bringing the total to 645 persons across the board, and it is to take effect immediately.

“Also, management has partnered with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in building a facility to address challenges related to investigations and prosecution across the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP). Additionally, there is a proposal for a skill acquisition program designed for women underway,” he stated.

He noted that the company’s collaboration with host communities has led to a significant boost in oil production and called for increased synergy.

“I thank you for this collaborative effort to boost oil production in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With your collaboration and effort, we’ve been able to see economic growth in the nation,” he added.

Also speaking, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, lauded PINL for its regular engagement with host communities and for discouraging youths from engaging in illegal bunkering.

The Minister, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Host Communities, Julius Eddie, acknowledged that the efforts of PINL have boosted oil production in the country and earned the ministry several high-profile recognitions

“I want to encourage you—what you are doing for the host communities and for the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a win for all of us.

“Today, because of the solutions you have proffered, illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, popularly known as *kpofire*, has tremendously reduced in the region.

“Because of your efforts, today the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, was listed among the team of influential leaders in policy and leadership direction in *Thisday Newspaper* and *Arise TV*.

“I want to encourage and challenge you to continue to discourage youths from tampering with the pipelines because, in all, we are the victims. The pollution affects the environment, and as farmers and fishermen, we are most affected,” he stated.

Additionally, the Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Akponine Omojevwe, cautioned sub-contractors against connivance and the employment of personnel without proper background checks and due diligence.

He called for proper synergy between the subcontractors and PINL to increase the performance rating of the company and to maintain zero tolerance on the TNP.

“The problem we are still having here is connivance—that’s why I want to talk to the PINL sub-contractors to be careful. For PINL ratings to go up, you, the subcontractors, need to carry out your jobs effectively. As your employments are being made from the communities, please, before you employ, carry out due diligence because, most times, you will suffer for it,” he said.

Stakeholders from various communities assessed the company’s performance and highlighted their challenges. Some of the stakeholders commended the management of PINL for engaging with host communities. (The Guardian)