Juliet Akoje In Abuja.
The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has handed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, administration of NNPC Limited, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and its Managing Director, Dr. Osahon Okunbor, following reported enhancements in pipeline safety, crude oil restoration and manufacturing.
The determination adopted the adoption of a subcommittee report on a petition in opposition to PINL at a particular sitting of the committee on Tuesday.
The report beneficial an extension of the Federal Government’s pipeline surveillance contract with PINL and declared that the allegations levelled in opposition to the corporate and its managing director weren’t substantiated.
The petition, dated September 5, 2026, was submitted by the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM).
The group alleged irregularities in the implementation of PINL’s contract, mismanagement of contract funds, the necessity for a forensic audit of the corporate’s funds, private expenditure attributed to its managing director and neglect of surveillance personnel.
However, the subcommittee reported that the petitioners did not honour three invites issued on September 14, September 22 and October 5, 2026.
It additionally famous that they neither despatched representatives to look earlier than the panel nor offered documentary proof to substantiate their claims.
In distinction, PINL appeared earlier than the subcommittee and submitted a written report titled The Impact of PINL Operations on Oil Production and Stability of the Niger Delta, supported by geotagged photographic proof of its operations.
After reviewing the submissions earlier than it, the subcommittee concluded that the allegations in opposition to PINL and Dr. Okunbor remained unsubstantiated.
It consequently beneficial the dismissal of the petition, the discontinuation of additional investigations into the allegations and formal recognition of the corporate’s contributions to pipeline safety.
The report additionally beneficial a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the administration of NNPC Limited and the pipeline surveillance contractors recognized in the report.
Among the important thing achievements offered to the subcommittee was a big improve in the quantity of crude oil reaching the Bonny Terminal by way of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).
According to PINL’s submission, the proportion of crude reaching the terminal rose from three per cent in May 2022 to 98 per cent in September 2026.
The subcommittee additional famous that Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, which had remained shut for 18 months, resumed operations inside 90 days of PINL’s engagement.
The report additionally documented the remediation of 2,049 unlawful pipeline connections and the destruction of 1,010 unlawful refinery clusters.
PINL said that its operations commenced in August 2022 and lined 215 host communities, with a workforce of greater than 35,600 surveillance guards.
The operations had been supported by 28 ahead bases, 130 boats, 175 autos, 25 drones and 454 personnel from authorities safety companies.
On group improvement, the report highlighted the corporate’s provision of greater than 5,000 scholarships, vocational and abilities coaching for over 4,000 girls and ladies, and flood aid help to greater than 10 communities in Rivers State.
The committee additionally recommended the administration of NNPC Limited for creating an enabling setting for pipeline safety operations.
It urged PINL to take care of its engagement with host communities whereas giving sustained consideration to the welfare of surveillance personnel.
The lawmakers’ decision comes because the Federal Government continues efforts to stabilise the oil and fuel sector and improve crude oil manufacturing, a essential supply of authorities income and overseas alternate earnings.
Production figures attributed to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) put Nigeria’s crude oil output at roughly 1.50 million barrels per day in August 2026, whereas manufacturing together with condensates stood at about 1.68 million barrels per day.
Average output additionally reportedly elevated from roughly 1.388 million barrels per day in the primary quarter of 2026 to 1.525 million barrels per day in the second quarter.
Despite the reported beneficial properties, crude oil manufacturing remained under the 2026 finances benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day.
The shortfall highlights the necessity to maintain measures geared toward defending oil and fuel infrastructure, combating crude oil theft and bringing shut-in manufacturing again on stream.
To consolidate the reported achievements, the subcommittee beneficial that the Federal Government lengthen PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract.
It additionally urged the corporate to maintain its operational efficiency and proceed implementing group improvement initiatives.
The report will nonetheless be offered to the total House of Representatives for consideration and adoption.
