Reps panel backs Tinubu, NNPC, PINL over pipeline security gains

The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu, the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), citing improvements in crude oil recovery and pipeline security.

Chairman of the committee, Dumnamene Dekor (APC, Rivers), announced the resolution on behalf of the lawmakers following the adoption of a subcommittee report on a petition against PINL at a special sitting on Tuesday.

The committee also recommended that the federal government extend PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract after dismissing allegations of financial mismanagement and other improprieties against the company and its Managing Director, Osahon Okunbor, as unsubstantiated.

The decisions followed the adoption of a subcommittee report on a petition against PINL at a special sitting of the committee on Tuesday.

The petition, dated 5 September, was filed by the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM), which accused the company of improper contract implementation, mismanagement of contract funds, neglect of surveillance personnel and alleged personal expenditure linked to Mr Okunbor.

The petitioners also called for a forensic review of PINL’s finances.

However, the subcommittee said the petitioners failed to appear despite three invitations issued on 14 September, 22 September and 5 October. It added that they neither sent representatives nor submitted documentary evidence to support their allegations.

PINL appeared before the subcommittee and submitted a written report titled The Impact of PINL Operations on Oil Production and Stability of the Niger Delta, alongside geotagged photographic evidence.

Based on the submissions, the subcommittee concluded that the allegations against the company and its managing director had not been substantiated. It recommended that the committee dismiss the petition and discontinue further investigation into the issues raised.

The report also recommended a vote of confidence in Mr Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, NNPC Limited’s management and the pipeline surveillance contractors covered by the report.

Oil recovery and pipeline security

A key finding highlighted in the report was an increase in the proportion of crude oil reaching the Bonny Terminal through the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), according to data submitted by PINL.

The company reported that the proportion rose from three per cent in May 2022 to 98 per cent in September 2026.

The subcommittee also noted that “Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, which had been shut in for 18 months, resumed operations within 90 days of PINL’s engagement.”

It further recorded that 2,049 illegal connections had been remediated and 1,010 illegal refinery clusters destroyed.

According to the company’s submission, its operations began in August 2022 and covered 215 host communities, with more than 35,600 surveillance guards deployed to support pipeline protection.

The operations were supported by 28 forward bases, 130 boats, 175 vehicles, 25 drones and 454 personnel from government security agencies.

The subcommittee attributed the reported operational gains to efforts to protect oil infrastructure and improve stability in the Niger Delta.

Community development initiatives

Beyond pipeline security, the report highlighted PINL’s community development initiatives, including more than 5,000 scholarships and skills training for over 4,000 women and girls.

The company also reportedly provided flood relief to more than 10 communities in Rivers State.

The committee commended NNPC Limited’s management for providing an enabling environment for pipeline security operations and urged PINL to sustain its engagement with host communities.

It also called on the company to maintain attention to the welfare of surveillance personnel.

The lawmakers’ position comes as Nigeria continues to pursue higher crude oil production amid persistent concerns about crude theft, pipeline vandalism and the underutilisation of oil assets.

According to production figures attributed to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), crude oil production stood at approximately 1.50 million barrels per day in August 2026, while output including condensates was about 1.68 million barrels per day.

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Average production reportedly rose from 1.388 million barrels per day in the first quarter of 2026 to 1.525 million barrels per day in the second quarter.

Despite the reported improvement, production remained below the 2026 budget benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day.

The gap highlights the continuing challenge of increasing output to meet budget projections and strengthen government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.

The subcommittee consequently recommended that the federal government extend PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract and urged the company to sustain its operational performance and community development programmes.

The report will be presented to the House of Representatives in plenary for consideration and adoption.