Pipeline firm shows how Nigeria met 99.2% OPEC quota as company empowers 3000 host community women

A major pipeline protection firm says host communities are to be given credit for Nigeria recording 99.2% of its 1.5 million barrels per day production quota approved by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

This is because the pipeline protection company in the Eastern Corridor has doled out empowerment to 3000 women from the zone. This is after it had given scholarship to youths of the zone.

These gestures were said to be some of the incentives that have helped to win the support of the pipeline host communities to join in protecting the assets that helped to boost output to meet OPEC quota.

The latest production figures released by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that the country’s crude oil output rose by 7.58% compared to March 2026 levels.

According to the commission, peak crude oil production in April reached 1.85 million barrels per day, while the lowest production figure for the month stood at 1.46 million barrels per day.

Also, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited reported improved performance in the oil and gas sector, posting about N276 billion profit after tax in March 2026 amid rising production and gas output.

Reacting to the development, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) attributed the improved output to enhanced protection of oil and gas assets and stronger collaboration among stakeholders in host communities. The company held host communities as heroes of the new feats.

Speaking during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting with representatives from Imo, Abia and Rivers states in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations of PINL, said the production increase reflected the impact of stability and cooperation along pipeline corridors.

“These figures are not ordinary statistics. They are direct evidence that stability, cooperation, and effective protection of pipeline infrastructure produce measurable economic benefits for our nation and our people,” Mezeh stated.

He said host communities, surveillance teams, traditional rulers and security agencies played critical roles in safeguarding the Trans Niger Pipeline and Eastern Gas Network facilities.

According to him, incidents of pipeline vandalism have reduced significantly, while intelligence gathering and stakeholder engagement have continued to improve across operational areas.

Mezeh disclosed that no infraction was recorded on the Trans Niger Pipeline within the last month, describing the development as a reflection of improved synergy among stakeholders.

He reiterated PINL’s commitment to sustaining community engagement and social investment programmes targeted at improving livelihoods in host communities.

The PINL official also called for continued support and unity among stakeholders to sustain the gains recorded in the sector and further improve Nigeria’s oil production output.

In his reaction, Sergeant Awuse, Paramount Ruler of Emohua Kingdom in Rivers State, expressed satisfaction with the operations of the company, acknowledging the company’s effort in helping the country’s revenue base.

He said, “I’m satisfied with what PINL is doing to help this country.

“Last sitting, you rolled out a scholarship for our youths, and today you have rolled out women’s empowerment. We owe you thanks also for securing the infrastructure feeding this nation. Your company has, in a very significant way, made it possible for more oil to flow with less vandalism”.

On his part, Philip Obele, King of Eleme, acknowledged the company for restoring sanity in the oil sector and making Nigeria profit from oil production.

He noted that pipeline vandalism has become a thing of the past in his kingdom due to PINL’s surveillance activities.

PINL, the private security company responsible for the protection of the TNP, has also empowered 3,000 pipeline host community women in the Niger Delta.

‎The company and Eastern Gas Network (EGN) doled out an empowerment scheme for 3,000 women from its 216 communities cutting across Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia States.

‎The women were given cheques ranging from N250,000 to N1 million through the empowerment scheme intended to boost their various businesses and their financial income.

‎Speaking shortly after presenting cheques to the beneficiaries at the PINL monthly stakeholders engagement in Port Harcourt, Mezeh (GM) said the gesture was another way by which the company appreciates members of host communities for their continued support for their operations.