United Niger Delta Congress urges extension of PINL surveillance contract

The United Niger Delta Congress (UNDC) has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to extend the pipeline surveillance contract held by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL). The request follows a recommendation from a technical sub-committee of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, which dismissed a petition against PINL and its Managing Director, Dr. Osahon Okunbo, citing the allegations as unsubstantiated.

The UNDC highlighted significant operational improvements since PINL began work in August 2022. Notably, crude oil delivery through the Trans Niger Pipeline to the Bonny Terminal reportedly rose from 3 percent to 98 percent by September 2026. Additionally, the group noted that Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 resumed operations within 90 days of PINL’s engagement after being shut in for 18 months.

According to the UNDC, PINL’s activities have included the remediation of 2,049 illegal pipeline connections and the destruction of 1,010 illegal refining clusters. The company’s operations span 215 host communities and involve the employment of over 35,600 surveillance guards from the Niger Delta, supported by a fleet of boats, vehicles, and drones.