Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has revealed that its community-focused security model has directly employed over 35,000 youths from the Niger Delta. This initiative is being credited as a key factor behind a significant rise in national gas production, which reached 7.59 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bscf) in July 2025.
The production figure, confirmed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), marks an 8.58% increase from the 6.99 Bscf recorded in 2024. The NUPRC also reported a simultaneous decline in gas flaring, underscoring a drive towards increased efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Dr Akpos Mezeh, General Manager of Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement at PINL, announced the employment milestone during a monthly stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt. He stated that by expanding its surveillance mandate beyond the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) to include other critical assets and gas lines in the Eastern Corridor, the company has created thousands of jobs.
“With the recent deployment of additional workers due to the expanded scope, PINL provides direct employment to over 35,000 youths across the Niger Delta,” Dr. Mezeh said. He applauded the Federal Government’s commitment to mitigating unemployment through such initiatives and urged other tiers of government to provide more opportunities for youths in the region.
Dr. Mezeh reported a successful operational scorecard for the past month, including zero infractions on the TNP, uninterrupted operations, and a drop in crude oil losses to a 16-year low. He attributed this success to collaboration with host communities, despite foiling attempted breaches in Bonny and Eleme and prosecuting suspects in other areas.
Stakeholders from host communities praised PINL’s impact. Engr. Orr Sunday Orr, Eleme Coordinator of the Ogoni Oil and Gas Host Communities Youths Forum, stated that vandalism and oil theft have drastically reduced since PINL’s involvement.
“We hereby pass a vote of confidence on PINL as the company with the right strategy,” Orr said.
Echoing this sentiment, Comrade Emeni Ibe, President-General of Orashi People’s Congress, commended PINL for changing the narrative on unemployment. “If other companies had done what PINL is doing, cases of pipeline vandalism would have been a thing of the past,” Ibe stated.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
