Host communities along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network in the Niger Delta have issued a two-week ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) to settle outstanding payments owed to surveillance contractors, guards and eligible community stakeholders.

The communities also demanded inclusion in the companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, including scholarship opportunities, youth and women empowerment initiatives, and other development projects.

The demands were presented at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday by the paramount ruler of Elele-Alimini Community in Rivers State, Eze Peter Wagbara, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers and other stakeholders along the pipeline corridor.

Wagbara said surveillance contractors and guards had gone three months without payment, leaving families who depend on the allowances struggling to meet their basic needs.

He warned that continued delays could undermine the trust and cooperation developed between the host communities, PINL and NNPCL, despite residents’ continued participation in protecting critical gas infrastructure.

The monarch stressed that the ultimatum was not a withdrawal of support for pipeline surveillance but a demand for the companies to fulfil their financial obligations and address the concerns of affected communities.

The stakeholders called on PINL and NNPCL to begin immediately reconciling verified outstanding payments and settle the full backlog covering the previous three months. They also demanded the prompt payment of legitimate sums owed to eligible community representatives.

In addition, they urged the companies to ensure that payments to surveillance contractors and guards resumed regularly in accordance with agreed contractual and administrative arrangements.

On community development, Wagbara said host communities along the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network should be formally considered for relevant scholarship schemes, youth empowerment, women empowerment and other CSR initiatives under transparent eligibility criteria.

The communities also requested formal engagement with recognised traditional rulers and community representatives to communicate clear payment schedules and establish a sustainable mechanism for resolving future disputes.

They gave both companies two weeks from the date of the public statement to demonstrate concrete progress, including settling the payment backlog, restoring regular payments and engaging with the communities on their inclusion in development programmes.

Despite their grievances, the stakeholders acknowledged that PINL’s operations had contributed to improved security and peace in their communities and along the gas pipeline corridor.

They reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful engagement and continued protection of the Eastern Gas Pipeline Network, noting its importance to national energy security and economic development.

However, Wagbara maintained that the prolonged delay in payments required urgent attention, warning that the communities’ patience should not be interpreted as an absence of legitimate concerns.