ONC PG, Amb. Ibe Commends PINL For Giant Strides, Calls For Inclusion Of Congress In Empowerment Initiatives

The President General of the Orashi National Congress, ONC, Ambassador Comrade Emeni Ibe, JP, AP, has commended Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, for its consistent efforts in empowering citizens of host communities across the Niger Delta.

Amb. Ibe made the commendation while speaking to journalists after attending PINL’s Stakeholders’ Engagement and Empowerment Programme held on Thursday.

The ONC PG described PINL’s interventions as genuine and people-focused, noting that such an approach is critical to sustaining peace and development in oil-producing communities.

“On behalf of the leadership and members of the Orashi National Congress, ONC, I use this medium to highly commend PINL for people-centered welfare programmes and genuinely making efforts to contribute to the development of host communities,” Amb. Ibe said.

He added that PINL’s model of engagement should serve as a template for other companies operating in the region.

“I strongly believe that if other companies doing business in our region understudy and follow their approach, we will not be witnessing friction between host communities and companies doing business in the Niger Delta region,” he stated.

While applauding the company, Amb. Ibe appealed to PINL to extend its empowerment initiatives, scholarship schemes, and grants to members of the Orashi National Congress.

“I equally use this medium to call their attention to our group. The company needs to extend their empowerment initiatives and scholarship schemes to the Orashi National Congress,” he said.

“We look forward to having our members on the list of beneficiaries of subsequent empowerment drives, scholarship and grants.”

The ONC President General emphasized that inclusive development can only be achieved when host community structures are carried along in corporate social responsibility programmes.

He noted that the Orashi region, which covers several oil and gas-bearing communities, has a large youth population that can contribute meaningfully to pipeline surveillance, skills development, and community peace if properly engaged.

Amb. Ibe further urged PINL to deepen consultation with traditional rulers, youth leaders, and socio-cultural groups like ONC to ensure that interventions reach the most vulnerable and have lasting impact.

He reaffirmed ONC’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at protecting critical national assets and promoting a peaceful business environment in the Niger Delta.

The PINL stakeholders’ programme featured the distribution of empowerment materials, vocational training slots, and educational support to beneficiaries drawn from host communities.