Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, has commended Seplat Energy Plc for its consistent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and strong engagement with host communities.
The governor assured the oil and gas firm of continued support and a conducive environment for unhindered operations in the state.
Governor Oborevwori gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received the management team of Seplat Energy, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Roger Brown, at Government House, Asaba.
Oborevwori praised Seplat Energy’s approach to community relations, particularly its empowerment programmes, education support, and healthcare interventions.
He described the initiatives as key to maintaining peace in oil-producing areas.
The governor noted that he had closely monitored the company’s operations and engagement with host communities, even before becoming governor.
The governor commended Seplat Energy’s CSR initiatives, including school donations, teacher training, and medical outreach.
He said that the efforts had helped to promote peace and increase production.
Oborevwori emphasised that the state’s MORE Agenda would continue to provide an enabling environment for Seplat Energy to do more.
The governor commended Seplat Energy’s employment policy, noting that 30 per cent of its operational workforce were from Delta.
He However, called for greater inclusion of host community members in leadership roles within the company.
Oborevwori said that it not not just about employing locals, but also about seeing them in management positions.
Oborevwori said; “I have been briefed recently about the challenges your company is facing in your deep operations. I feel you intentionally left that off camera. But I want to assure you that such issues will not happen again.
“Today, we are respected at the national level because of our contributions to the centre, and that’s only possible through peace and cooperation.
“We believe in resolving grievances through dialogue rather than confrontation, because confrontation doesn’t benefit the people or the companies. If you are not working, there is no way you can comply with your CSR.
“As a people, we know that economic sabotage reduces our crude oil production quota, discourages investors, and limits job and wealth creation. I assure you that we will continue to work together for mutual benefit.”
Earlier, Mr Roger Brown said Delta remained strategic to Seplat Energy’s growth, hosting two of its most valuable onshore blocks.
He noted that 30 per cent of the company’s workforce prior to the ExxonMobil acquisition were Delta indigenes and highlighted recent milestones, including the near-completion of a 1 million scf/day gas plant in Sapele with integrated Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and future Compressed Natural Gss (CNG) facilities.
Brown also outlined the company’s ongoing CSR interventions: impacting over 50,000 students through the Pearls Quiz Programme, establishing five STEAM labs, and providing eye care to 2,000 patients under the “I Can See” initiative.
He also announced plans to end routine gas flaring this year 2025, five years ahead of Nigeria’s national target.
