By Awyetu Asabe Hope
Nigeria has lost an estimated $226 billion in revenue due to the prolonged shutdown of oil production in Ogoniland, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has said, urging the Federal Government to prioritise the resumption of operations in the area.
Speaking at its April stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, the company said the halt in production since 1993 has come at a significant economic cost, with over 96 oil wells lying dormant for more than three decades.
PINL noted that Ogoniland, covered by Oil Mining Lease 11, has the capacity to produce over 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day, describing its restart as a strategic national priority.
The firm, however, stressed that any resumption must be anchored on environmental sustainability, transparency, and active community participation to ensure long-term stability.
It also called for sustained clean-up efforts and the adoption of community-based security frameworks, adding that local involvement has proven effective in protecting oil infrastructure across the Niger Delta.
PINL further advocated for the economic inclusion of host communities through job creation, contracts, and capacity development tied to oil operations.
Oil production in Ogoniland was suspended following unrest and environmental concerns that triggered the Ogoni crisis.
The company maintained that with the right approach, restarting production could boost national revenue and drive economic growth, while stakeholders also urged the government to take concrete steps toward actualising the plan.
