Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has disbursed scholarship grants worth over N2 billion to more than 1,500 students from pipeline host communities across Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia states.

The scholarships, which cover 216 communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and Eastern Gas Network (EGN), were awarded at N500,000 for undergraduate students and N1 million for postgraduate beneficiaries.

The cheques were presented on Wednesday during PINL’s April monthly stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the event, the company’s General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, described the initiative as a gesture of appreciation to communities that have supported efforts to safeguard critical oil and gas infrastructure.

“This is our own way of saying thank you to our host communities. The beneficiaries total over 1,500 and we have disbursed over N2 billion, and this is exclusive of women empowerment and skill acquisition programmes,” he said.

Mezeh also urged youths in the host communities to reject pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, encouraging them to take advantage of the company’s empowerment initiatives.

“We are thanking them for supporting us to protect the pipelines, and we are using this medium to appeal to youths in our communities to shun pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft. They should endeavour to provide us with vital information to maintain the momentum,” he added.

He further highlighted the operational stability achieved through community cooperation, noting that the company is contributing to Nigeria’s oil production targets.

“There is zero infraction across all our areas of operation. We are approaching the 2 million barrels per day projection of the Federal Government; we have already achieved 1.8 million, and the target is doable,” Mezeh stated.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Donald Justice, a postgraduate student at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, said the scholarship had significantly eased his academic journey.

“Initially I thought it was not real, but the money came and I’m running the programme with so much ease. What they are doing is empowering the common man who never had hope of pursuing their education. This will spur me to help others when I am capable. I thank PINL for this opportunity,” he said.

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