Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has supported moves to resume crude oil production in Ogoni communities, saying Nigeria has lost an estimated $226.734 billion since operations stopped over 30 years ago.
The firm, responsible for safeguarding the Trans Niger Pipeline, said restarting production from Oil Mining Lease 11 could unlock about 500,000 barrels of crude per day. Production from the lease has been inactive since 1993 following the crisis between Ogoni residents and a multinational oil company.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, PINL’s General Manager for Community and Government Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, described the planned restart as long overdue and important for Nigeria’s revenue drive. He noted that the shutdown of 96 oil wells in the area has led to huge economic losses and left major oil capacity untapped.
Mezeh commended the efforts of the administration of Bola Tinubu in tackling oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of sabotage in the Niger Delta, saying the resumption of production in Ogoni would further boost national output.
He added that there was no recorded case of vandalism on the pipeline in the past month, attributing this to stronger engagement and cooperation with host communities.
According to him, any move to restart oil operations must involve the Ogoni people as key stakeholders. He stressed the need for continued environmental clean-up, restoration efforts, and programmes that provide jobs and economic opportunities for residents.
Mezeh said Nigeria’s oil production has risen to about 1.84 million barrels per day, with a target of two million barrels. He linked improved revenue to better infrastructure protection, noting that N1.804 trillion was remitted to the Federation Account in February 2026, compared to N726 billion in January.
PINL also highlighted ongoing community support initiatives across Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia states, including scholarships, medical outreach, women empowerment, skills acquisition and environmental awareness campaigns. As part of these efforts, 216 students from host communities received scholarships.
Traditional rulers at the meeting praised the company’s engagement with communities and encouraged continued collaboration as discussions around the resumption of oil production in Ogoni progress.
