A organisation, Pipeline Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL), has declared allegations of bias claims regarding award of pipeline protection contracts in the Niger-Delta region as “spurious and unsubstantiated”.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the Delta State Coordinator of PINL, Prince (Dr.) Benson Onuwaje, said, “We are not here to shy away from scrutiny. Our records and the performance speak for themselves.
“We won these contracts on sheer merit and have delivered on our promises, as evidenced by the increased output in crude oil and gas production.”
He admonished critics to familiarise themselves with the workings of PINL before casting aspersions, stating that the pipeline protection firm would continue its mission to support the economic development of the Niger-Delta with integrity and excellence.
Onuwaje challenged those whom he described as faceless accusers to reveal their identities, proposing an open dialogue to discuss PINL’s achievements and contributions to the development of the Niger-Delta region.
He emphasized the employment and economic opportunities provided by PINL to the youth of Niger-Delta communities, underscoring their commitment to community development.
“We’ve provided boats and created jobs, showing our dedication not just to our operations, but to the welfare of the communities we serve,” Onuwaje added.
Similarly, Akpos Mezeh, the Public Relations Officer of PINL, emphasized the company’s track record.
He said, “Since our involvement, particularly in the Trans-Forcados pipeline, Delta state has emerged as the leading oil-producing state in Nigeria. Would our employers continue to entrust us with such responsibility if we were not performing?”
PINL recounted their journey since 2015, when former President Muhammadu Buhari called upon the late Captain Hosa Okunbor for his expertise in surveillance and security to assist the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The company highlighted their successful operations, such as the salvage of Warri’s trunk line and the Trans-Forcados pipeline, and their impact on the region’s oil production.
While calling for unity and progress in the Niger-Delta, Mezeh urged inclusivity of the Niger-Delta, saying “The region is for all of us. No single tribe can claim it. We must learn to accommodate each other and work towards unity.”
