By Anne Azuka
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Tuesday commended Seplat Energy Plc for its consistent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and strong engagement with host communities.
He assured the oil and gas firm of continued support and a conducive environment for unhindered operations in the state.
Governor Oborevwori gave the assurance when he received the management team of Seplat Energy, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roger Brown, at Government House, Asaba.
He praised the company’s approach to community relations, particularly its empowerment programmes, education support, and healthcare interventions, describing them as key to maintaining peace in oil-producing areas.
Governor Oborevwori, said; “before I became governor, I closely monitored your operations; how you engage with your host communities and empower them. From school donations to teacher training and medical outreach, you have shown strong commitment to corporate social responsibility. So, what you are saying today is not new to me.
“All the efforts you have made regarding community empowerment, donation of learning materials, teacher training, and other CSR activities, are commendable.
“These are the things that foster peace between international oil companies and their host communities. Your efforts promote peace, and with peace, production increases. As I have said in my MORE Agenda, we will continue to provide the enabling environment for you to do more.”
The governor commended Seplat Energy’s employment policy, noting that 30 percent of its operational workforce comes from Delta State.
However, he called for greater inclusion of host community members in leadership roles within the company, saying; “It’s not just about employing the locals; we want to start seeing them in management positions as well. I believe that one day this will happen”.
Continuing, Governor 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, the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, Mr. Roger Brown said Delta State remained strategic to Seplat Energy’s growth, hosting two of its most valuable onshore blocks.
He noted that 30 percent 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.
