A subcommittee of the House of Representatives has discovered no proof to assist allegations towards Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and its Executive Director, Dr. Osahon Okunbo, and has really helpful that the petition towards them be thrown out.
Constituted beneath the House Committee on Host Communities, the panel was arrange to look at a petition dated September 5, 2026 from the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM), which challenged PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract.
The petitioners made 5 claims, together with that the contract was not correctly executed; that contract funds have been mismanaged, that PINL’s funds required a forensic overview and that the manager director spent cash on private issues.
Besides, the petitioner alleged that the welfare of subject employees had been uncared for. However, no paperwork or proof of any form accompanied them.
The Committee nonetheless referred the petition for a correct listening to. Proceedings adopted the principles of the House and the precept of honest listening to, with the Committee’s Deputy Clerk serving as secretary.
ND-OCRIM was invited thrice, on September 14; September 22 and October 5, 2026, and failed to flip up on every event. It despatched nobody as a substitute, gave no motive and introduced no proof. No different stakeholder appeared.
However, PINL did seem. Its consultant submitted a written doc: “The Impact of PINL Operations on Oil Production and Stability of the Niger Delta,” supported by location-tagged pictures. Nobody challenged it. Hearings closed on October 7, 2026.
The submission set out the situations PINL met on arrival. By May 2022, in accordance to the corporate, 97 of each 100 barrels of crude pumped into the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) have been being misplaced. Force majeure had been declared, and nationwide output had fallen under 900,000 barrels per day.
PINL, engaged in August 2022, mentioned it now works throughout all 215 host communities and engages greater than 35,600 group members. Its operations are supported by 28 ahead bases, 130 boats, 175 autos, 25 drones and 454 personnel from authorities safety businesses.
The firm reported that the share of crude reaching the Bonny Terminal by the TNP rose from 3 per cent in May 2022 to 98 per cent in September 2026. It mentioned the OML 11 subject was restarted inside 90 days after an 18-month shut-in, that 2,049 unlawful connections have been repaired and that 1,010 unlawful refinery clusters have been destroyed.
It additionally pointed to its work in host communities, citing greater than 5,000 scholarships, expertise coaching for over 4,000 girls and women, and flood aid for greater than 10 communities in Rivers State.
In its findings, the panel mentioned PINL’s submission immediately answered the claims about how the work was performed. It additionally admitted a spot: the submission didn’t handle the claims about contract funds or private spending. On these two issues, its findings relaxation on the petitioners’ failure to deliver any proof.
On welfare, members famous PINL’s palliative and meals financial institution assist and located no signal of neglect. They described PINL as a well-organised firm with a powerful construction, nicely regarded in its host communities, and mentioned no proof backs any declare towards Okunbo.
Twelve suggestions adopted. The panel requested the complete Committee to dismiss the petition, finish any additional investigation, and report the claims towards PINL and Dr. Okunbo as unproven, whereas noting that affected events hold their authorized rights.
Also, it requested the Committee to acknowledge PINL’s work in defending pipelines and its programmes in host communities, urged the corporate to maintain that work and take care of its subject workers, and really helpful that the federal authorities prolong PINL’s contract.
Commendation was additionally looked for President Bola Tinubu, for sustaining safety reforms within the oil and fuel trade; the National Security Adviser (NSA), for coordinating the safety of pipelines in addition to the administration of NNPC Limited.
They additionally lauded the pipeline safety companies together with PINL and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and additional requested the Committee to move a vote of confidence in all of them.
But the report isn’t but ultimate. Dated October 7, 2026, it has been submitted to the complete Committee for consideration and adoption, and the signature strains for the Chairman, 4 members and the Secretary have been clean within the copy seen.
