Traditional rulers and community leaders along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network have given Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) a two-week ultimatum to settle three months of outstanding surveillance payments.
The position was made known by His Royal Highness, Eze Peter Wagbara, a retired Commissioner of Police and Nye Nwe Ali of Elele Alimini in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State, who read a press statement on behalf of the host communities and other stakeholders.
The communities expressed concern that the prolonged delay in payments could affect the livelihoods of surveillance guards and weaken the trust between the host communities and the companies responsible for pipeline security.
They said their people had continued to support efforts to protect the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network against vandalism and sabotage despite the outstanding payments.
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The stakeholders also demanded fair inclusion in corporate social responsibility programmes, including scholarships, youth empowerment, women empowerment and other community development initiatives.
According to them, communities along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network have not enjoyed opportunities comparable to those available to other host communities under PINL’s engagement programmes.
The communities called on PINL and NNPCL to clear all verified payment arrears, restore regular payments and engage recognised traditional rulers and community leaders to establish a sustainable payment arrangement.
They warned that the two-week grace period should produce concrete action on the outstanding payments and inclusion in development programmes.
The stakeholders, however, reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful engagement, stressing that their demands were aimed at ensuring fairness, accountability and the fulfilment of obligations to communities protecting critical national infrastructure.
