NIGER DELTA COMMUNITIES GIVE NNPCL, PINL TWO-WEEK ULTIMATUM OVER UNPAID ALLOWANCES

Communities and stakeholders along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network in the Niger Delta have issued a two-week ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) to clear three months of outstanding allowances owed to pipeline surveillance contractors and guards.

The communities also demanded inclusion in the companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, including scholarship schemes, youth and women empowerment initiatives, and other community development projects.

Speaking on behalf of the host communities and stakeholders at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the paramount ruler of Elele-Alimini Community in Rivers State, Peter Wagbara, expressed concern over the prolonged delay in payments.

Wagbara said the unpaid allowances had placed considerable pressure on surveillance contractors, guards and their families, who depend on the earnings to meet their basic needs.

He warned that continued delays could undermine the trust and cooperation established between the host communities, PINL and NNPCL.

“The surveillance guards have families and responsibilities. They depend on the timely payment of their earnings to meet basic needs, while community stakeholders have continued to support the programme and mobilise their people in the interest of pipeline security,” he said.

“The prolonged delay has understandably created anxiety, dissatisfaction, and uncertainty among our people. We are concerned that if this situation persists, it could undermine the goodwill and confidence that have been painstakingly built between the host communities, PINL and NNPCL.”

The monarch stressed that the ultimatum was not a withdrawal of support for pipeline surveillance but a call for the companies to fulfil their financial obligations and sustain community participation in protecting critical infrastructure.

The communities urged PINL and its client, NNPCL, to immediately reconcile outstanding obligations and settle the full backlog owed to surveillance contractors, guards and eligible community stakeholders along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network.

They specifically demanded that both companies commence the verification and payment of all outstanding allowances for the past three months, while ensuring that legitimate payments due to eligible community representatives are made without further delay.

They also called for the prompt resumption of regular payments in line with existing contractual and administrative arrangements.

Beyond the payment dispute, the communities demanded formal consideration for inclusion in relevant PINL and NNPCL corporate social responsibility programmes, particularly scholarships, youth empowerment, women empowerment and other community development initiatives.

Wagbara said such participation should be guided by transparent eligibility criteria to ensure that host communities benefit from development opportunities associated with pipeline operations.

The stakeholders further urged the companies to engage recognised traditional rulers and community representatives to communicate a clear payment schedule, address outstanding concerns and establish a sustainable mechanism for resolving future disputes.

“We hereby give PINL and NNPCL a two-week grace period from the date of this public statement to resolve the outstanding payment issues and demonstrate concrete action towards the inclusion of our communities in relevant CSR programmes,” the communities stated.

“We expect this period to result in meaningful progress, including the settlement of the three-month payment backlog, the resumption of regular payments, and formal engagement on our communities’ inclusion in the relevant development initiatives.”

Despite their grievances, the communities acknowledged that PINL’s operations had contributed to peace and improved security within their areas and along the gas pipeline routes.

They maintained that the ultimatum was not intended to disrupt the operations of PINL or NNPCL or discourage investment in the Niger Delta, but to promote fairness, accountability and the fulfilment of obligations to host communities.

“Our communities have keyed into the vision of community-based pipeline surveillance. Our people understand the strategic importance of the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network to national energy security and economic development, and they have continued to contribute to its protection,” Wagbara said.

He reaffirmed the communities’ commitment to peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue but warned that their patience should not be interpreted as an absence of legitimate concerns.

“Three months of outstanding payments constitute a serious matter that requires urgent attention,” he added.