Gas pipeline communities give NNPC, PINL two weeks to pay surveillance arrears

Host communities along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network have given the surveillance company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) two weeks to settle outstanding surveillance payments covering the past three months.

The communities also demanded inclusion in scholarship, youth empowerment, women empowerment and other corporate social responsibility programmes implemented by the two organisations.

Their demand was contained in a statement issued by traditional rulers, community leaders, surveillance contractors and stakeholders along the pipeline network.

Peter Wagbara, paramount ruler (Nye Nwe Ali) of Elele Alimini, in Emohua Local Government Area, spokesperson of the communities, said surveillance contractors, guards and eligible stakeholders had not received expected payments for three consecutive months, despite their continued role in protecting critical gas infrastructure in their communities.

Wagbara, reading the statement, said the delay had created anxiety and dissatisfaction among residents and could weaken the goodwill built between host communities, PINL and NNPC.

He said, “These obligations are not merely financial transactions; they represent commitments upon which the surveillance arrangement and the livelihoods of many people depend.

“The surveillance guards have families and responsibilities. They depend on the timely payment of their earnings to meet basic needs, while community stakeholders have continued to support the programme and mobilise their people in the interest of pipeline security,” he said.

The communities acknowledged PINL’s contribution to pipeline security and community development, saying they had embraced the community-based surveillance arrangement in good faith.

They said local guards and stakeholders had continued to provide the presence, cooperation and vigilance needed to prevent vandalism, sabotage and other infractions along the pipeline.

Wagbara said, “It is therefore difficult for us to understand why payments due to surveillance contractors, guards and stakeholders along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network have remained outstanding for three consecutive months.”

The communities asked PINL and NNPC to reconcile and pay all verified outstanding obligations to contractors, guards and eligible community representatives. They also demanded the resumption and sustenance of regular payments in line with agreed contractual arrangements.

Beyond the arrears, the communities said they had been excluded from corporate social responsibility opportunities available to other host communities under PINL’s engagement framework.

Wagbara said scholarship schemes, youth and women empowerment initiatives and other development interventions had not been extended to communities along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network.

He said, “Our demand is not for preferential treatment. It is a call for fairness, transparency and equitable inclusion in the relevant CSR and community development programmes implemented by PINL and NNPC.”

The communities asked the companies to establish a clear framework for integrating them into scholarship schemes, youth and women empowerment initiatives and other social investment programmes.

They also demanded formal engagement with recognised traditional rulers and community stakeholders to communicate a payment schedule, address outstanding concerns and create a sustainable mechanism for resolving future disputes.

Wagbara said the communities remained committed to peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue, adding that the statement was not intended to disrupt pipeline operations or discourage investment in the region.

“Our communities have not withdrawn their support for pipeline protection. Rather, we are appealing for the prompt fulfilment of the obligations that sustain their participation and commitment,” he said.

The communities gave PINL and NNPC a two-week grace period to settle the payment backlog, resume regular payments and take concrete steps towards including the communities in relevant development programmes. (BusinessDay)