By: Aherhoke OkiomaChairman of the First Phase Ex-Agitators Forum, Mr Jacob Braveman, popularly known as Colonel Braveman, has assured Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the surveillance firm in charge of the Eastern corridor of the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP), of the continued support of former agitators in protecting oil and gas facilities under its watch. Braveman gave the assurance during PINL’s August stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where he said the group was impressed by the firm’s stakeholder engagement and outreach programmes in its area of operation. He said ex-agitators, who understand the rivers and creeks through which the pipelines pass, will continue to work with PINL to curb vandalism and protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, adding that such collaboration will help Nigeria increase production and meet its OPEC quota. The monarch cautioned against third party interference in oil pipeline operations, and urged PINL to remain focused, despite the activities of some sister firms which, he alleged, do not adequately involve stakeholders in their operations. Mezeh said the success underscored the importance of securing critical energy infrastructure, noting that the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), designed to transport 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually from Nigeria to Morocco, will also depend on peace, security and effective stakeholder collaboration.