By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has attributed Nigeria’s recent increase in oil production to improved pipeline security and sustained collaboration with host communities and stakeholders, following the country’s first surpassing of its OPEC production quota in 2026.

The General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations at PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, made this known during the company’s stakeholders’ engagement forum held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Yenagoa on Friday.

Citing figures from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mezeh said Nigeria’s total oil production rose by 2.2 per cent in May, reaching about 1.70 million barrels per day.

According to him, crude oil production averaged 1.53 million barrels per day, representing 102 per cent of the country’s OPEC allocation.

“This achievement reinforces Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading oil producer and represents the highest combined production level recorded since July 2025,” he said.

Represented by the Head of Community Relations at PINL, Andrew Ebikeme, Mezeh attributed the success to improved pipeline security, stronger stakeholder engagement, increased community participation and a collective resolve to combat crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining activities.

He, however, expressed concern over a recent attack on the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) by armed individuals on June 15, 2026, around the Odau axis in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“This unfortunate incident has been promptly escalated to the relevant security authorities for urgent intervention and necessary action,” he said, noting that such attacks pose serious environmental and economic risks.

Mezeh reaffirmed PINL’s commitment to host communities, highlighting the fulfilment of scholarship payments and women empowerment grants earlier promised by the company.

He also disclosed that plans were underway to implement a more structured youth training programme across host communities.

The PINL official commended the growing cooperation among traditional rulers, youth groups and civil society organisations, pointing to the recent declaration by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project that Ogoniland is now free of active illegal refining sites.

“These developments provide hope for a cleaner environment, healthier communities and a more prosperous future for the Niger Delta region,” he said.

Also speaking, a representative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Engr. Akponime Omojewvhe, appealed to host communities to strengthen cooperation with security agencies and stakeholders to prevent future attacks on critical oil infrastructure.

In separate remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Joinkarama IV Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Sunny Jacob, and the Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Ijaw National Affairs, Oyinfie Jonjon, commended PINL for its empowerment initiatives in host communities and urged continued support for the surveillance firm.

They noted that sustained community engagement and development programmes remain essential to protecting oil infrastructure and promoting peace and economic growth in the Niger Delta.