The Edo State government has started the process of resolving the purported transfer of certain oil wells to its neighbor, Delta State, at the Orogho community in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
Mr. Dennis Idahosa, the state deputy governor, led a delegation to the village on Friday in an attempt to find a peaceful solution to the dispute over Seplat Energy PLC’s oil wells.
As part of the effort to peacefully resolve the matter, Idahosa reportedly met with Pa Odiase Omorogieva, an Odionwere of the village, as well as community and youth leaders of the Orogho community, according to a statement approved by the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr. Friday Aghedo. Since giving up their “natural wealth” to another state, he praised them for their calm demeanor.
While the area where oil exploration and production occur is underdeveloped, the deputy governor claimed that his visit was intended to reduce tension and ease the people’s anxiety of losing their God-given mineral wealth to another state.
Idahosa promised that in order to restore the advantages of Edo State’s assets and promote socioeconomic development, the current administration would look into every possibility and communicate with the appropriate government authorities.
Idahosa, who examined the contested oil wells with Mrs. Adiza Gambati, General Manager, Government Relations, Seplat Energy, urged the public not to break the law since the issue will receive the necessary attention.
Mr. Charles Eghaghe, the youth leader for the community, expressed his delight with the state government’s quick action in finding a peaceful solution to the injustice that the Orogho community had experienced.
He explained that in addition to corporate social responsibility, royalties have been paid to the Edo State Government since 1993, when Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) started operating in the contested oil wells.
However, he pointed out that after Seplat Energy PLC assumed control of the oil well operations, things changed. Since Orogho is an oil-producing community and the majority of its graduates were unemployed, Eghaghe urged the administration to look into the issue immediately and return the contested oil wells to the state.
The Special Adviser on Oil and Gas to the Governor, Mr. Felix Isere, and Hon. Pius Alile, deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, accompanied Idahosa on the fact-finding mission.
