Unpaid Arrears: Monarchs Give PINL, NNPCL Two Weeks to Pay Surveillance Contractors
…Demand inclusion in scholarships, empowerment programmes
PORT HARCOURT — Aggrieved traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network have issued a two-week ultimatum to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to settle three months of outstanding surveillance payments.
The stakeholders also demanded inclusion in scholarship schemes, youth and women empowerment initiatives and other corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, warning that continued delays and perceived exclusion could weaken cooperation between the companies and their host communities.
The demands were contained in a communiqué issued by traditional rulers, community leaders, surveillance contractors and other stakeholders along the pipeline network in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Reading the communiqué, His Royal Majesty, Eze Wagbara Peter, the paramount ruler (Nye Nwe Ali) of Elele Alimini in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, condemned the alleged failure to pay surveillance contractors, guards and eligible community representatives for three consecutive months.
He said the affected stakeholders had continued to support efforts to protect critical gas pipeline infrastructure despite the outstanding payments.
According to the stakeholders, the delay has generated anxiety, dissatisfaction and uncertainty among their people, with fears that prolonged non-payment could erode the trust underpinning the community-based surveillance arrangement.
‘Our People Have Continued to Protect Pipelines’
The stakeholders acknowledged PINL’s contributions to pipeline security and community engagement but insisted that the arrangement could only remain sustainable if all parties fulfilled their obligations promptly.
They said their communities had accepted the responsibility of protecting the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network in good faith by providing local vigilance and cooperation to prevent vandalism, sabotage and other infractions.
“Our communities have embraced this responsibility in good faith. Surveillance guards and community stakeholders have continued to support the protection of the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network, providing the local presence, cooperation, and vigilance necessary to prevent vandalism, sabotage, and other infractions,” they said.
They added that the outstanding payments went beyond routine financial transactions, stressing that the earnings were essential to the livelihoods of surveillance guards and their families.
The stakeholders therefore urged PINL and its client, NNPCL, to reconcile all outstanding obligations and immediately commence payment of verified arrears owed to contractors, guards and eligible community representatives.
They also called for the restoration of regular payments in line with existing contractual and administrative arrangements to prevent a recurrence of the situation.
Demand Fair Share of CSR Benefits
Beyond the payment dispute, the stakeholders accused the companies of failing to provide their communities with access to development opportunities comparable to those reportedly enjoyed by other communities.
They said the perceived disparity in access to scholarships, youth and women empowerment programmes, skills acquisition schemes and other social investment initiatives had created a sense of marginalisation among communities expected to help protect critical national infrastructure.
“Our demand is not for preferential treatment. It is a call for fairness, transparency, and equitable inclusion in the relevant CSR and community development programmes implemented by PINL and NNPCL,” they said.
The stakeholders called for a clear framework to incorporate Eastern Gas Pipeline host communities into relevant scholarship and empowerment programmes.
They also demanded transparent eligibility criteria for selecting beneficiaries, insisting that opportunities should be accessible fairly to qualified members of affected communities.
According to the communiqué, their expectations include the settlement of verified three-month surveillance arrears, payment of legitimate outstanding obligations to eligible community representatives and sustained resumption of regular payments.
They further called for formal consideration of their communities in applicable CSR programmes and structured engagement involving PINL, NNPCL, traditional rulers and recognised community leaders.
Stakeholders Insist on Peaceful Resolution
Despite their grievances, the stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue, saying they did not intend to undermine the operations of PINL or NNPCL or discourage investment in the Niger Delta.
They acknowledged the strategic importance of the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network to Nigeria’s energy security and economic development, noting that their communities had continued to support efforts to protect the facilities.
However, they warned that their patience should not be mistaken for a lack of legitimate concerns, insisting that the three-month payment backlog required urgent intervention.
They urged PINL management and NNPCL leadership to address their demands within the two-week ultimatum, expressing hope that the dispute could be resolved through dialogue, prompt payment and a renewed commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership.
“Our message is simple: honour the outstanding obligations, restore regular payments, and give Eastern Gas Pipeline host communities fair access to relevant community development programmes,” they added.
