Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has attributed Nigeria’s recent increase in crude oil production and its ability to surpass its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota to improved surveillance and security along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), supported by strong collaboration among stakeholders.

The company made the assertion during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Port Harcourt with representatives of host communities from Rivers, Imo and Abia states.

Speaking at the event, PINL’s General Manager for Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said the improvement in crude output reflects enhanced operational stability on the Trans Niger Pipeline, increased community participation and a collective commitment by government agencies, security operatives, host communities and industry players to combat crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining activities.

According to him, the development has strengthened Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading oil producer while contributing to the highest combined production level recorded since July 2025.

Mezeh noted that major production streams, including the Bonny and Forcados export terminals, have continued to record impressive performance, while offshore assets have maintained stable contributions to national production.

“These achievements are the result of improved pipeline security, stronger stakeholder engagement, active community participation and the determination of all stakeholders to protect critical oil infrastructure from criminal activities,” he said.

He added that the growing reliability of the Trans Niger Pipeline and improved security across operational corridors have significantly contributed to national economic growth, increased government revenue, enhanced energy security and improved investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The PINL official commended host communities for supporting efforts to secure the pipeline network, describing their cooperation as evidence of what can be achieved when communities, traditional institutions, government agencies, security services and industry operators work together toward a common objective.

He stressed that the company’s operational strategy remains anchored on community ownership, transparency, accountability, stakeholder engagement and shared prosperity.

Mezeh also disclosed that reports of alleged harassment of surveillance guards by military personnel are currently under investigation, while a damaged section of the pipeline corridor in Umorie, discovered to have been cut with a hacksaw, has since been repaired by the company’s maintenance team.

He urged surveillance contractors to maintain a stronger presence along the pipeline right-of-way to prevent renewed vandalism attempts.

However, the company expressed concern over a recent attack on the Trans Niger Pipeline by armed individuals along the Odau axis in Zone 8 of Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State on June 15, 2026.

According to Mezeh, the incident has been reported to relevant security agencies for immediate action and investigation.

He warned that attacks on critical national infrastructure have serious consequences, including environmental degradation, pollution and threats to the livelihoods of communities that depend on a safe and healthy environment.

Also speaking, Chairman of the South-South Monarchs Forum and Nye Nweli Emohua, King Sergeant Awuse, commended PINL’s efforts and urged the Federal Government, particularly security agencies, to provide greater support for the company’s operations.

He noted that any decline in oil production would have significant implications for national revenue and governance.

Similarly, the King of Eleme Kingdom, Dr. Philip Obele Osaro, said the company’s community-based programmes have helped reduce youth restiveness and called for increased investment to expand empowerment initiatives for youths and women in host communities.

In his remarks, the Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Project Monitoring Office, Akponime Omojewvhe, urged residents of host communities to promptly report suspicious activities, stressing that timely intelligence remains essential to protecting oil infrastructure and sustaining production gains across the region.