Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has called for the immediate resumption of crude oil production in Ogoniland, describing it as a vital national priority that requires full community involvement and environmental care.
The company made the appeal during its monthly stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
PINL noted that Ogoniland, under Oil Mining Lease 11, can produce more than 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It added that the shutdown of operations since 1993 has caused Nigeria to lose over $226 billion in revenue.
While stressing the economic benefits, PINL insisted that production must follow a sustainable path. The firm highlighted the need for active participation by host communities in every stage of the process.
It also called for continued environmental cleanup, transparent operations, and a community-based security system to protect oil facilities.
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Dr Akpos Mezeh, General Manager of Community and Stakeholder Relations at PINL, said the company is ready to support a peaceful restart using its experience in stakeholder engagement and pipeline protection.
“Available data shows that over $226.734 billion has been lost due to the suspension of crude oil production from 96 oil wells in Ogoniland over the past 32 years,” Mezeh stated.
During the meeting, PINL awarded scholarship grants worth over N2 billion to more than 1,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from host communities. Undergraduates received N500,000 each, while postgraduates got N1 million each.
Chief Sergeant Awuse, Nye-Nwe-Eli of Emohua Kingdom, supported the call for resumption and praised PINL for its regular engagement with communities.
Oil activities in Ogoniland stopped in 1993 after protests over environmental damage. Industry experts say a successful restart depends on trust, justice, and community benefits.
