The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has dismissed a petition accusing Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and its Managing Director, Dr Osahon Okunbor, of poor performance and financial recklessness in the execution of their pipeline surveillance contract.
The committee reached the decision on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after considering a report by its Technical Subcommittee, which investigated allegations contained in a September 5 petition submitted by the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM).
The subcommittee recommended that the petition be dismissed, stating that the allegations against PINL and Okunbor were not substantiated by the evidence presented during its investigation.
At a special sitting, the committee considered the findings on PINL’s performance under the pipeline surveillance contract, including its contributions to pipeline security, crude oil production, youth employment and community development across Nigeria’s Eastern Corridor.
The report highlighted the employment of more than 35,600 youths as pipeline surveillance guards, providing livelihoods for thousands of people in communities hosting critical oil and gas infrastructure.
It also cited the company’s educational interventions, including scholarships reportedly awarded to more than 5,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from host communities.
Among the initiatives highlighted was a ₦2 billion scholarship programme supporting 1,500 students across Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia and Imo states.
In Bayelsa, 600 beneficiaries reportedly received scholarships ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1 million each.
Reps Hail Community Development Projects
The technical report also acknowledged PINL’s skills acquisition and economic empowerment programmes targeting women and girls in its operational areas.
According to the findings, more than 4,000 women and girls have benefited from vocational training and small-business development initiatives.
Under the Women’s Skills Development and Enterprise Programme, the company targeted 2,000 women and girls across 215 host communities, including 1,000 women in Bayelsa State who reportedly received ₦250,000 each.
The report further documented the distribution of relief materials to more than 10 communities in Rivers State affected by the 2022 and 2023 floods.
It also highlighted food bank initiatives and the provision of palliatives to host communities and pipeline surveillance personnel.
In his opening remarks, the committee chairman said the House remained committed to fairness, accountability and due process in carrying out its oversight responsibilities.
He stressed that allegations submitted to the legislature must be subjected to rigorous scrutiny and assessed against available evidence before any conclusions were reached.
According to him, the petition was referred to the technical subcommittee after its receipt on September 5 to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
He added that all parties had been assured of a fair hearing in accordance with the Rules of the House, particularly given the importance of accountability in public resource management, pipeline protection and the welfare of host communities.
The chairman commended the subcommittee for its work and presentation of the findings.
Committee Seeks Sustained Pipeline Protection
Following its investigation, the subcommittee recommended that PINL be commended for its reported contribution to stabilising crude oil production in the Eastern Corridor.
It also urged relevant authorities to sustain the company’s operational deployment as part of efforts to protect oil infrastructure and support the Federal Government’s target of increasing crude oil production to between 2.5 million and three million barrels per day.
The report further called on the Federal Government to encourage and expand the scope of PINL’s activities over a longer period, arguing that sustained operations could strengthen pipeline security, employment generation, community engagement and crude oil production.
The dismissal of the petition marks the conclusion of the committee’s consideration of the allegations against PINL and its managing director.
The findings also highlight the role of pipeline surveillance and host-community participation in protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure, supporting crude oil production and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security.
