The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has shown support for President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL). They praised these bodies for improvements in crude oil recovery and pipeline security.
The committee's chairman, Dumnamene Dekor (APC, Rivers), shared this decision on Tuesday after lawmakers accepted a report from a subcommittee about a petition against PINL.
The committee also suggested that the federal government should renew PINL's pipeline surveillance contract. They dismissed claims of financial misconduct and other issues against the company and its Managing Director, Osahon Okunbor, saying these claims were unproven.
This decision followed the approval of a subcommittee report regarding the petition filed against PINL during a special meeting on Tuesday.
The petition was submitted on 5 September by the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM). They accused PINL of not managing contracts properly, mishandling contract funds, ignoring surveillance staff, and spending money improperly linked to Mr Okunbor.
The petitioners also asked for a thorough review of PINL's finances.
But the subcommittee noted that the petitioners did not show up despite three invitations sent on 14 September, 22 September, and 5 October. They also did not send any representatives or provide documents to prove their claims.
PINL appeared before the subcommittee and provided a report named The Impact of PINL Operations on Oil Production and Stability of the Niger Delta. They also submitted geotagged photos as evidence.
After reviewing this information, the subcommittee decided that the claims against PINL and Mr Okunbor were not proven. They recommended that the committee dismiss the petition and stop further inquiries into the issues raised.
The report also called for a vote of confidence in Mr Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, NNPC Limited's management, and the pipeline surveillance contractors mentioned in the report.
Oil Recovery and Pipeline Security
A significant finding in the report was the rise in crude oil reaching the Bonny Terminal through the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP). PINL provided data showing this increased from three percent in May 2022 to 98 percent in September 2026.
The subcommittee also observed that Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, which had been closed for 18 months, restarted operations within 90 days after PINL got involved.
They reported that 2,049 illegal connections were fixed and 1,010 illegal refineries were destroyed.
According to PINL, their operations started in August 2022 and involved 215 host communities. They deployed over 35,600 surveillance guards to help protect the pipelines.
Their work was supported by 28 bases, 130 boats, 175 vehicles, 25 drones, and 454 personnel from government security forces.
The subcommittee credited these operational successes to efforts aimed at protecting oil infrastructure and improving stability in the Niger Delta.
Community Development Initiatives
The report also focused on PINL’s development efforts in the community. They provided over 5,000 scholarships and skills training for more than 4,000 women and girls.
The company also gave flood relief to more than 10 communities in Rivers State.
The committee praised NNPC Limited's management for creating a good environment for pipeline security operations. They urged PINL to keep working with host communities.
They also asked the company to pay attention to the welfare of surveillance staff.
Lawmakers are making these recommendations while Nigeria aims to boost crude oil production. This is important because of ongoing issues with crude theft, pipeline vandalism, and the underuse of oil assets.
According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), crude oil production was about 1.50 million barrels daily in August 2026. This includes condensates, bringing the total to around 1.68 million barrels daily.
Production reportedly increased from 1.388 million barrels daily in the first quarter of 2026 to 1.525 million barrels daily in the second quarter.
Even with these improvements, production is still below the 2026 budget target of 1.84 million barrels daily. This gap shows the ongoing challenges of boosting output to meet budget goals and improve government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
The subcommittee recommended that the federal government extend PINL’s pipeline surveillance contract. They also urged the company to maintain its operational success and community development projects.
The report will be taken to the House of Representatives for further consideration and approval.
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