By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NNPC Limited, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and its Managing Director, Dr. Osahon Okunbor, following reported improvements in pipeline security and crude oil production.
The committee also recommended that the Federal Government extend PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract after its subcommittee found that allegations against the company and its managing director had not been substantiated.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a subcommittee report on a petition against PINL at a special sitting of the committee on Tuesday.
The petition, dated September 5, 2026, was filed by the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM), which accused PINL of improper contract implementation, mismanagement of contract funds, questionable personal expenditure by its managing director and neglect of surveillance personnel.
The petitioners also called for a forensic review of the company’s finances.
However, the subcommittee reported that the petitioners failed to appear despite three invitations issued on September 14, September 22 and October 5, 2026. According to the report, they neither sent representatives nor provided documentary evidence to substantiate their allegations.
PINL, on the other hand, 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.
After reviewing the submissions, the subcommittee concluded that the allegations against PINL and Dr. Okunbor had not been established. It consequently recommended that the committee dismiss the petition and discontinue further investigation into the issues raised.
The report also proposed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the management of NNPC Limited and the pipeline surveillance contractors covered by its findings.
TNP Crude Delivery Rises to 98%
Among the key findings highlighted in the report was a significant increase in the proportion of crude oil reaching the Bonny Terminal through the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).
According to data submitted by PINL, 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 remained shut in for 18 months, was restarted within 90 days of PINL’s engagement.
In addition, the report recorded the remediation of 2,049 illegal pipeline connections and the destruction of 1,010 illegal refinery clusters.
PINL’s submission stated that its operations, which commenced in August 2022, covered 215 host communities and involved more than 35,600 surveillance guards.
The company also reported deploying 28 forward bases, 130 boats, 175 vehicles and 25 drones, with support from 454 personnel of government security agencies.
Reps Highlight Community Development Initiatives
Beyond pipeline protection, the report highlighted PINL’s community development interventions, including the award of more than 5,000 scholarships and skills training for over 4,000 women and girls.
The company was also credited with providing flood relief to more than 10 communities in Rivers State.
The committee commended the management of NNPC Limited for creating an enabling environment for pipeline security operations, while urging PINL to sustain its engagement with host communities and pay continued attention to the welfare of surveillance personnel.
Oil Production Still Below Budget Benchmark
The lawmakers’ position comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, curb crude oil theft and improve production from the country’s petroleum assets.
Production figures attributed to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) put crude oil output at approximately 1.50 million barrels per day in August 2026, while production, including condensates, stood at about 1.68 million barrels per day.
Average production reportedly increased from approximately 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, crude oil production remained below the 2026 budget benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day, highlighting the continuing challenges of securing oil infrastructure, preventing crude theft and restoring shut-in production.
The subcommittee consequently recommended extending PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract, while urging the company to sustain its operational performance and community development programmes.
The report is expected to be presented to the full House of Representatives for consideration and adoption.
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