Politics

Delta govt lauds firm for developing host communities

Delta Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has lauded Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), Operator of the OML 30 Joint Venture between NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL) and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited (SNRL), OML 30 Joint Venture Partners and host communities for their cooperation and deliberate development of their host communities.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, gave the commendation on Wednesday at Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, during the one-year anniversary celebration of the OML 30 Community Development Board (CDB) and the inauguration of several projects across the clusters which make up the oil block.

He noted that government was elated with what OML 30 CDB has been doing and sent his warm appreciation, saying: “These kinds of projects completed and inaugurated are in line with the Delta State government’s MORE AGENDA.”

According to him, “If all Oil Mining Lease Community Development Boards and the oil companies are doing these kinds of projects with their corporate social responsibility, various host communities will experience peace and development”.

The anniversary, which kicked off on Monday 27th November 2023, featured the inauguration of several completed projects and the inspection of others that are ongoing.

Some of the inaugurated projects included: four units self contain apartments in Orhoakpor community; 60 units market stalls/abattoir and Town Hall in Afiesere; Ugbokodo-Okpe community market; three bedroom bungalow and three guests houses in Ubeji community.

Other projects inaugurated included: Okporo-Oleh Community Hall for oil and gas landlords; Emede community market stalls and two and three housing units for oil and gas landlords; Odiologbo of Okpolo-Enhwe Palace; Odiologbo of Olomoro residential building; Chief Henry Ojogho road and Uzeva road, Oleh.

In his address, the Chairman of the OML 30 Community Development Board (CDB) High Chief Iduh Amadhe, appreciated the management and staff of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), NPEL, Shoreline, the Joint Venture Partners for increasing capacity and willingness to live up to their Corporate Social Responsibility at all times.

In his words: “We have been able to complete over 100 projects in our host communities while several others are ongoing with many at advanced stages. Other areas where the Board has also done well include training/capacity building and presentation of starter packs to hundreds of participants from across the 12 Clusters.

“The Board has engaged the operator on strategic areas like acceptable employment quota and contracts to our people as well as issues bothering on spill management and protection of our environment within the extant laws governing the oil industry.”

In his goodwill message, the Chief Executive Officer Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), Ado Oseragbaje, who was represented by Jeremiah Oharisi, Head Community Relations, said that HEOSL, as the operator of the Joint Venture Partnership (SNRL & NEPL), was proud to be associated with the 112 host communities comprising the Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Delta State.

He added that; “Our commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relationships with our host communities is evident through the various initiatives outlined in the GMoU (Global Memorandum of Understanding) signed in 2018. The GMoU mandate fund has been instrumental in executing infrastructural projects, including hospitals, hospital equipment, road networks, transformers, bridges, and schools, amongst others.”

He emphasized the importance of peace to ensure a good business environment; “It is important for all of us that there continues to be uninterrupted peace for business to thrive. Let us continue to respect the rule of law and adopt dialogue for resolving all conflict situations,” he says.

Similarly, in a goodwill message, the CEO of Shoreline Natural Resources Engr. Tunde Karim, who was represented by Engr. Philip Egbe, said that the projects inauguration and the unwavering commitments to the growth of OML 30 have not gone unnoticed, stating that the leadership of the CDB has been a driving force behind the positive changes witnessed in the asset.

He commended the CDB’s efforts in fostering a thriving and sustainable community and emphasized that Shoreline Natural Resources Limited values the partnership with the CDB as a veritable alliance for promoting growth and transforming OML 30.

Good will messages also came from the representatives of the Delta State Solicitor General, Mr Emamizo Erebe and the Ministry of Justice as well as Zonal Director of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, all eulogising HEOSL , the JV partners and the board for striking a fruitful synergy for smooth operation in OML.

The colourful anniversary celebration also featured the popular Ughelli Ima Cultural Troupe as well as the Queen Odogwa led cultural dance group and the cutting of the anniversary cake.

Dignitaries present at the event included various Presidents-General of OML 30, HRM Joseph Isike, the Odiologbo of Olomoro Kingdom and the representative of the Ovie of Ughelli, who is the chairman of OML 30 traditional rulers, top management staff of HEOSL and OML 30 CDB members, amongst others.

. TheWitness