The House of Representatives Subcommittee on Host Communities Chaired by Rt. Hon. Dumanmene Dekor has recommended the dismissal of a petition against Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), citing the petitioners’ failure to provide evidence or appear before the panel despite three invitations.
The petition, filed by the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM), alleged improper implementation of PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract, mismanagement of contract funds, questionable personal expenditure by its Managing Director, Dr. Osahon Okunbor, and neglect of the welfare of surveillance personnel.
However, in its report dated October 7, 2026, the subcommittee said the petitioners failed to attend sittings scheduled for September 14, September 22 and October 5, 2026, despite being invited on all three occasions.
The report stated that the petitioners neither sent representatives nor offered explanations for their absence, adding that they failed to submit documentary evidence to support their allegations.
In contrast, PINL appeared before the panel and submitted a written report titled The Impact of PINL Operations on Oil Production and Stability of the Niger Delta, supported by geotagged photographic evidence.
The subcommittee said PINL’s submission, which was not contested by the petitioners, provided evidence of the company’s operational contributions to pipeline security and increased crude oil deliveries to the Bonny Terminal through the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).
According to the report, the proportion of crude oil reaching the terminal through the pipeline rose from three per cent in May 2022 to 98 per cent in September 2026.
The panel noted that before PINL’s engagement in August 2022, approximately 97 out of every 100 barrels pumped into the TNP were being lost, forcing the declaration of force majeure and contributing to a decline in Nigeria’s crude oil production to below 900,000 barrels per day.
It attributed the reported improvement to surveillance and security interventions involving host communities and government security agencies.
The report stated that PINL operates across 215 host communities, employing more than 35,600 surveillance guards, supported by 28 forward bases, 130 boats, 175 vehicles, 25 drones and 454 personnel from government security agencies.
It further credited the company with facilitating the remediation of 2,049 illegal pipeline connections and the destruction of 1,010 illegal refinery clusters.
The subcommittee also noted that Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 resumed operations within 90 days after remaining shut for 18 months.
On community development, the panel acknowledged PINL’s reported provision of more than 5,000 scholarships, skills training for over 4,000 women and girls, and flood relief assistance to more than 10 communities in Rivers State.
While acknowledging these operational achievements, the report clarified that PINL’s submission did not specifically address the allegations concerning contract funds and the Managing Director’s personal expenditure.
Nevertheless, the subcommittee held that the allegations remained unsubstantiated because the petitioners failed to provide supporting evidence.
It also found no evidence to justify a forensic review of PINL’s finances, while the allegation that the company neglected the welfare of surveillance personnel was similarly unsupported by evidence presented before the panel.
The report described PINL as a well-organised company with a strong operational structure and a positive standing in its host communities.
It further stated that no evidence had been presented to substantiate any of the allegations against Dr. Okunbor.
Consequently, the subcommittee recommended that the House Committee on Host Communities dismiss the petition and discontinue further investigation into the issues raised.
It also recommended that the committee formally record that the allegations against PINL and its Managing Director were not substantiated, while noting that affected parties retain their rights under the law.
Beyond the petition, the panel urged the Federal Government to extend PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract, citing the company’s reported contributions to pipeline protection, crude oil recovery and community engagement.
The subcommittee also called on PINL to sustain its engagement with host communities and continue paying attention to the welfare of surveillance personnel.
In its recommendations, the panel commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sustaining reforms aimed at strengthening security in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
It also praised the National Security Adviser for coordinating national security efforts, as well as the management of NNPC Limited for its role in supporting pipeline security and maintaining working relationships with stakeholders.
The report further commended pipeline surveillance contractors across the country, specifically naming PINL and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for their contributions to protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure.
Additionally, the subcommittee recommended a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the management of NNPC Limited and the pipeline surveillance contractors named in the report.
The panel said its recommendations followed a review of the petition, PINL’s written submission and the evidence available to it.
It submitted the report for consideration and adoption by the House Committee on Host Communities.
The recommendations remain subject to consideration and adoption by the committee.
