CEDING OIL WELLS: EDO GOVERNMENT MOVES TO CORRECT ABNORMALITY 07-04-25
By Sadiq Aminu Edo State Government has initiated a process to correct the ceding of some oil wells at Orogho in Orhionmwon Local Government to neighbouring Delta State.
Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa led a delegation to Orogho to seek an amicable resolution of the controversy surrounding the ceding of the oil wells being operated by Seplat Energy PLC.
Idahosa, yesterday in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, met with the Odionwere (oldest man in the community), Pa Odiase Omorogieva, community and youth leaders of Orogho, as part of the processes to peacefully resolve the issue, while lauding them for their peaceful disposition since the ceding of their natural wealth to another state.
He said his visit was to douse tension and allay the fear of the people of losing their God-given resources to another state, while the community where oil exploration and production had been taking place was faced with underdevelopment and neglect.
Edo deputy governor assured people that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo would explore avenues and liaise with relevant agencies of government to ensure the benefits from the assets in Edo State were restored to boost socio-economic development.
Idahosa, who inspected the disputed oil wells, and accompanied by the General Manager, Government Relations, Seplat Energy, Mrs. Adiza Gambati, urged people of the area not to take the law into their own hands.
He said the matter would be given the needed attention.
Edo deputy governor also had on the fact-finding visit, the Special Adviser on Oil and Gas to Governor Okpebholo, Mr. Felix Isere, and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Edo Deputy Governor, Pius Alile, among other top government officials.
Orogho youth leader, Charles Eghaghe, expressed satisfaction over the prompt response by Edo State Government to find an amicable resolution to the injustice being done to the people of the community.
He noted that since 1993, when Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria Limited began operation in the disputed oil wells, royalties were paid to Edo government, in addition to corporate social responsibility in Orogho, but expressed displeasure that things changed when Seplat Energy PLC took over the operation of the oil wells.
Eghaghe pleaded with Edo government to urgently wade into the matter and return the disputed oil wells to the state (Edo), revealing that most youths of Orogho, who were graduates, had no jobs, despite being indigenes of an oil producing community.