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PORT HARCOURT — Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has identified host communities and other stakeholders along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and Eastern Gas Network (EGN) as critical to Nigeria’s ambition to increase crude oil production to three million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.

The company said the success of the Federal Government’s production targets would depend largely on sustained peace, improved pipeline security and stronger collaboration among pipeline operators, host communities and other stakeholders across the Niger Delta.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has set a target of producing two million barrels of crude oil per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030, alongside a natural gas production target of 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.

PINL, the company responsible for the Eastern corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline, made this position known at its bi-monthly stakeholders’ meeting with TNP host communities in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Government Relations, said Nigeria’s oil and gas industry was entering a period of renewed growth, with the stability of the pipeline networks playing a crucial role in sustaining increased production.

He stressed that achieving the national targets would require stronger cooperation between PINL, host communities, traditional rulers, youth leaders and other stakeholders along the pipeline corridors.

To underscore the industry’s recovery, Mezeh drew attention to NNPC Ltd’s recently released audited financial results for 2025, which showed a profit after tax of ₦7.2 trillion, representing a 33 per cent increase from the ₦5.4 trillion recorded in 2024.

“More importantly for our discussion today, crude oil and condensate production averaged 1.77 million barrels per day in 2025, the company’s highest production level in five years,” he said.

He added that natural gas production averaged 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day during the year, representing the company’s highest output in three years.

Stakeholders at the meeting expressed satisfaction with PINL’s operations, calling on the Federal Government to sustain and expand the company’s contract in view of its contribution to pipeline security and the restoration of economic activities in host communities.

Engr Omojevwhe Akponime, Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, NNPC Project Monitoring Office, said the corporation’s daily operational reviews showed that pipeline performance within PINL’s area of responsibility remained satisfactory.

Recounting a recent management session at NNPC, Akponime said the company’s performance had attracted positive assessments from the national oil company.

“There is no question for PINL. They said so because they are doing well,” he said, expressing confidence in the company’s operational performance.

The Eze Eberi-Ugo Omuma, King Onyekachi Amaonwu, said the responsibility for achieving Nigeria’s oil production targets rested significantly on the communities where the pipelines and other critical infrastructure were located.

“For you to get the target, there is no pipeline in Abuja. It is here,” the monarch said, urging traditional rulers and community leaders to sustain their cooperation with PINL and support efforts to protect the facilities.

Similarly, the Eze Ekpeye-Logbo, King Kevin Anugwo, said improved security along the pipeline corridor had enabled residents of Ekpeye communities to return to farming and fishing after years of disruption caused by crude oil theft, pollution and spills.

He recalled that the condition of local waterways had previously prevented residents from fishing, while environmental degradation had also affected agricultural activities and livelihoods.

“Before you came on board, we were unable to fish in our waters because the crude oil had taken over the place,” Anugwo said.

He noted that the restoration of access to farmlands and fishing waters had brought relief to residents whose livelihoods depended largely on the environment.

Also speaking, Engr Legborsi Yamaabana, spokesperson of the Niger Delta Ethnic Youth Leaders Forum, commended the Federal Government for renewing PINL’s contract, describing the decision as important to sustaining progress in pipeline security and community relations.

Yamaabana said the support of Niger Delta communities for the company remained strong, adding that opposition to the contract would not alter their position.“As Niger Delta people, we have adopted PINL as our own,” he said.

The stakeholders maintained that continued collaboration between the Federal Government, pipeline operators and host communities would be essential to protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure, sustaining production growth and achieving Nigeria’s medium- and long-term energy targets.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).