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Pipeline Surveillance: Group Warns Sponsors of False Allegations Against PINL To Desist
A group, Warri Urban Security Network(WUSN), has berated those sponsoring a fictitious body that goes by the name, ‘National Awareness Forum (NAF) to dent the good reputation of Pipeline Infrastructures Nigerian Limited (PINL), describing the allegations made against the firm as false, baseless and unfounded.
Reacting to online media reports by NAF calling for the termination of pipeline security contract awarded PINL in a statement issued yesterday, WUSN urged the public to discountenance the report as there was no iota of truth in the claims made by the faceless group to tarnish the image built by the security firm over the years.
In the statement signed by Chief Frank Onoriode and Barrister Dafe Okpako, Chairman and Secretary respectively, WUSN however expressed the need to set the record straight, inorder to correct the falsehood being peddled by the sponsors of NAF publications to discredit the remarkable performance of PINL in securing the nation’s critical assets within its areas of responsibility across the country.
The Security Watch group who had been at the forefront of advocacy for a secured Warri metropolis in the last ten years, noted that it decided to correct the false allegations made by those behind NAF publication based on the determination not to compromising security of oil facilities within its coverage area for the selfish interest of few.
The statement read in part; “The attention of the above named organization has been drawn to a sponsored online publication by a fictitious group, “National Awareness Forum (NAF) Calling for revocation of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Pipeline Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL), and wish to categorically set the record straight, particularly in areas where we felt the publication presented false claim from an uninformed perspective”.
“While we initially wanted to ignore the said publication because the issues raised were not only laughable but lacks credibility in all its ramifications, we have however decided to correct certain wrong impressions made inorder to disabuse the minds of the public by setting the record straight for a better understanding”.
“First, we wish to make it clear that contrary to claim of increasing rates of pipeline vandalism in parts of Rivers ad Imo states where the surveillance contract to PINL covers, this is a false claim as we have it on good authority that the security outfit had kept activities within its areas of responsibility under check and the records are there for verification”.
“On the claim that the Trans-forcados pipeline in Deltas state, had witnessed series of attacks in recent time, we also object to this, as it had become evident that some criminal elements had been sponsored by some individuals equally handling pipeline surveillance in the region inorder to create the wrong impression that PINL cannot measure up.
“Contrary to the report, the TFP remained the most reliable pipeline within the western corridor with minimal downtime recovery factor of over 98%. It is also important to note that the availability of pipeline is attributed to PINL robust deployment and technical prowess.
“As a Security Watch group that had operated within Warri area in the last one decade, we can attest to the fact that PINL had done creditably well, particularly with its intervention in curbing pipe line vandalism and oil theft has changed the narrative hitherto to the wanton theft of the past”.
“The NNPCL renewal of PINL contract had also laid credence to the fact that PINL had succeeded and as one of Nigeria most reputable oil and gas asset Protection Company with the innovations and dynamism it’s bringing to bear in achieving this feat”.
“We want to remind those behind the sponsored report that in 2022 showed PINL has carried out stealth operations and arrest of notorious bunkerers within the hotspot region with over 188 arrest made so far, 148 persons prosecuted while 59 persons have been convicted and remanded in prisons , a milestone deserving commendation.
had provided logistics to enable security agencies carry out stealth operations and arrest of notorious bunkerers within the hotspot region with over 51 arrests made so far, 39 persons prosecuted while 12 persons have been convicted and remanded in prisons, a milestone deserving commendation”.
“For the purpose of educating the public more, it is on record that PINL intercepted and destroyed over 43 large cargo boats in zone 1 and 2 , and several vehicles and motor cycles also interdicted in zone 3, 4 and 5”.
“PINL intervention in protecting, maintaining of the Trans Niger Pipeline, (TNP) in the Eastern corridor is yielding appreciable results thereby contributing to the Gross Domestic Earning and rise in oil production”.
“The TNP corridor network conveys and produced hydrocarbons from eastern Niger Delta region assets to Bonny oil and gas terminal”.
“In an obvious demonstration of its achievements and successes recorded in the sector, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited & JV Partners in 2022 renewed its scope of work”.
“Parts of the scope include the provision of maritime security services, provision of maritime logistics, provision of security logistics including tugboat and speed boats, pipeline repair and maintenance (excluding sectional replacement of sections of the pipeline”.
“Others are Host community engagement, pipeline security and surveillance, progress report and photographs, periodic maintenance of right of way in the service area, provision of manpower and personnel, and administration of the services”.
“As one of the giants in the sector PINL has carried over 99 percent deployments of assets across the various sections of the TNP. It has also completed pipeline security asset deployment of houseboats, Rapid Response Boat (RRBs), military camps, operational Hilux and Patrol boats to provide security over watch at their respective dedicated pipeline asset location from zone 1.9”
“The massive deployment efficiency of PINL saw the successful destruction of illegal refinery, arrest of pipeline vandals along the TNP prow, confiscation and burning of impounded vehicles and boats among other successes”.
Former governor of Sokoto State and current Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has reaffirmed his party’s commitment to reclaiming power in 2027.
Speaking on Monday at the launch of a Ramadan aid distribution programme, Tambuwal assured supporters that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would regain its “stolen mandate” in the next general elections.
The initiative, aimed at assisting fasting Muslims during Ramadan, will benefit 30,000 households across Sokoto State.
Tambuwal noted that this effort was in addition to food assistance programmes being carried out by PDP lawmakers at both state and federal levels.
“As you are aware, many people have lost their lives and are no longer with us. By His grace, we are here to witness another Ramadan and provide support to our people once again,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to party leaders and supporters for their commitment, stressing that the PDP remained united in Sokoto.
“We are one big, united family. We shall continue to work together towards reclaiming what has been taken away from us.
In the last elections, our mandate was forcefully stolen, but we are restrategising and reorganising. By the grace of Allah, we will reclaim it in 2027,” Tambuwal declared.
Sokoto State PDP chairman, Comrade Bello Goronyo, echoed similar sentiments, thanking party members for their loyalty.
He criticised the current government, attributing the economic hardships faced by Nigerians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We urge the people of Sokoto and Nigerians at large to free themselves from the misgovernance of the APC in 2027,” Goronyo stated.
The PDP’s Ramadan assistance programme includes the distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other essential grains to youth and women-led organisations across the state.
Senator Shehu Sani has downplayed ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the move won’t impact the ruling party’s fortune in the coming elections billed for 2027.
El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State on Monday left the APC, a party he was a founding member, and pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a move pundits believe will change the political texture of the country.
But Sani, who is also from Kaduna like El-Rufai, believes the former Minister of the FCT holds no political relevance.
“Well, first of all, for those of us from Kaduna State, it [his defection] is a good riddance because he stands as a liability to the party in the state,” the former Kaduna Central senator said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, citing the APC’s losses under El-Rufai.
“I can back this with facts. In 2015, APC had two senators. By 2023, all the senatorial zones were taken over by PDP. Out of the 14 House of Representatives seats in Kaduna State, by the time he left [office as governor], almost nine of the seats were won by PDP, two by the Labour Party, and then three by APC. With him as a governor, the APC also lost the presidential election in Kaduna State.”
El-Rufai had cited the party’s departure from progressive ideals as his reason for defection.
“At this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” the former governor said.
The former FCT minister was a founding member of the ruling party. He was instrumental to APC’s victory in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 presidential elections. His relationship with the party, however, soured after he was not screened for a ministerial role.
But Sani, who recently returned to the APC, accused El-Rufai of destabilizing the party and believes his defection offers an opportunity for the APC to rebuild and come out stronger.
“So, you can see that by the time he left, already the party was an unpopular platform in the state. So his exit now is an opportunity,” the APC chieftain said.
“For the governor and party leaders of the state to embrace the people of the state and to reconfigure and reset the party towards the next election.”
Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step aside until an investigation into Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims against him is concluded.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, had accused the senate president of sexually harassing her.
The allegation followed a heated argument between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan over seating arrangement.
Subsequently, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.
The senator was thereafter suspended for six months.
In a statement on Monday, Ezekwesili demanded that Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, should preside over a session tasked with conducting a swift and independent investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition.
The former minister said the senate should reverse the suspension of the senator and retract all punitive measures imposed on her.
“The senate president steps aside, and the deputy senate president immediately convenes a session that rescinds the unconstitutional and illegal suspension of senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and reverses all punitive measures imposed on her so she resumes her duties as a duly elected senator representing her Kogi central constituency and gets the fair hearing due her within senate processes,” Ezekwesili wrote on X.
“Resolve and announce that a prompt independent investigation into the resubmitted petition by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is imperative and swiftly request ICPC to designate the Independent Investigation consistent with the ICPC Act which designates sexual harassment as one of the corrupt practices it can investigate and prosecute.”
Ezekwesili urged the senate to restructure its ethics committee in response to the allegation, harping on the need to appoint an independent investigator to thoroughly examine the matter.
“Reconstitute the senate ethics and privileges committee under a new chairperson with the mandate to commence a public hearing on the resubmitted petition on sexual harassment by the senate president Akpabio,” she said.
“The committee receives informed recommendations from the Independent Investigation by ICPC-appointed investigator and appearances/oral and written testimonies and evidences from the two parties to the matter — Senators Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio respectively.”
She advised that the findings of the committee should be referred to the attorney-general of the federation for action.
“The senate in plenary receives the report findings and recommendations of the ethics committee, debates and refers the matter to the attorney general as may be appropriate,” she added.
“The senate and HoR partner with women in Nigeria groups and other relevant stakeholders like NBA and Nigeria police to launch a comprehensive diagnostic review of laws, regulations, policies and procedures that prevent SGBV and protect the rights of women in public and private spaces, identify existing barriers and gaps, develop and implement specific action plan on a fast track timeline.”