The Host Communities Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCON-YCN) has passed a vote of confidence on the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), Dr. Osahon Okunbo, commending his leadership in safeguarding Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure and contributing to increased crude oil production.
The endorsement was contained in a statement issued after the successful National Executive Council Mid-Term Meeting and Annual Board of Trustees Review held in Abuja, where the council applauded the achievements of the PINL management in strengthening pipeline security, fostering community engagement and supporting sustainable development across host communities.
Signed by the President of HOSTCON-YCN, Senior Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, on behalf of the National Executive Council and Board of Trustees, the statement attributed Nigeria’s improved crude oil production, which exceeded its OPEC quota for the first time in 2026, to enhanced pipeline surveillance, stronger stakeholder collaboration and improved protection of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).
According to the council, the company’s operational model has significantly reduced crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage through sustained engagement with host communities.
“The Council particularly applauds the company’s community-driven operational model, which has strengthened peace, reduced youth restiveness in many operational areas, enhanced intelligence gathering and built confidence between government, oil companies, traditional institutions, youths, women and host communities,” the statement said.
HOSTCON-YCN also commended PINL for investing in education through its Host Communities Scholarship Programme, noting that the initiative has expanded to cover about 1,500 undergraduate and postgraduate beneficiaries across Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia and Imo states.
The council said the scholarship scheme, alongside the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, empowerment programmes and stakeholder consultations, has created lasting socio-economic benefits for host communities while strengthening relationships with traditional rulers, youth groups and women organisations.
It further praised the company’s General Manager, Community Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, and Director of Operations and Stakeholder Engagement, Chief Seriake Alamieyeseigha, for what it described as their professionalism, proactive leadership and commitment to peaceful engagement with communities.
According to the statement, their efforts have strengthened trust between stakeholders and the company, contributing to the operational successes recorded by PINL over the years.
The council also acknowledged the company’s support for small and medium-scale enterprises, skills acquisition programmes and other social investment initiatives targeted at women, youths and vulnerable groups in the Niger Delta.
HOSTCON-YCN called on host communities, traditional rulers, security agencies, government institutions and industry stakeholders to continue supporting PINL in protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas assets, saying sustained collaboration remains vital to improving crude oil production, boosting national revenue and promoting peace, security and inclusive development across the Niger Delta.
