OML 30 Flow Stations: PGs Give Heritage 2-Week Ultimatum, Demand Payment Of Contractors, Others

The OML 30 Flow Stations Presidents-General Forum has given Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) a two-week ultimatum to address outstanding issues concerning payments to indigenous contractors, employment opportunities, scholarship programmes and the implementation of Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) projects.

The Forum, representing host communities in OML 30, demanded the immediate payment of outstanding sums owed to indigenous contractors, adherence to agreed contractual payment timelines and appropriate mobilisation arrangements for future contracts.

It also called for greater consideration for qualified indigenous contractors in the award of OML 30 projects, immediate review and implementation of the scholarship programme, and employment opportunities for qualified graduates from the host communities.

Other demands include the prompt payment of agreed stipends and appreciation payments to traditional rulers and relevant stakeholders, as well as the immediate implementation and award of contracts for already-scoped HCDT community projects.

The demands and ultimatum were contained in a letter signed by the Presidents-General of the affected communities, including Evwreni PG, Chief Kenneth Ukpebitere; Afiesere PG, Mr. Luke Umukoro, PG Owhe, Engr. Wilfred Atunu, PG Kokori; George Eghwrude, PG Effurun-Otor; Chief Godwin Ikolo, PG Uzere, Chief Onyagbodor E. Eriemu, CDC Chairman, Mr Ibebe Matthew, PG Oleh, Chief Unuafe Believe, PG Olomoro, Chief Anthony Ukpagha, PG Igbide, Ven. Hon. Augustine Aziakpono Ovie JP and PG Eruemukohwarien, Mr Anigboro Godwin

The letter was addressed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited and copied to the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Delta State Government, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, security agencies, traditional rulers, OML 30 HCDT, relevant PIA authorities, Manager, Contracts and Procurement, HEOSL, Managing Director, NNPCL, Managing Director, Shoreline Limited, and Uherevie Trust.

The statement, which reads in part, said: “OML 30 Flow Stations Presidents-General Forum, representing host communities in OML 30, has called on Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) and other relevant stakeholders to urgently address what it described as persistent concerns affecting the welfare, economic development and peaceful relationship between the operating companies and their host communities.”

“In a series of communications, the Forum raised concerns over the delay in the payment of traditional rulers and other stakeholders, the review and implementation of scholarship programmes, employment opportunities for qualified indigenous graduates, the award of contracts to qualified indigenous contractors, delayed payment of contract sums and the implementation of already-scoped community projects under the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT).”

The Forum particularly appealed for an urgent review of the scholarship programme, employment opportunities for qualified indigenous youths and greater consideration for qualified contractors from OML 30 host communities in the award of projects.

According to the Forum, the continued delay in payments due to traditional rulers and other stakeholders had generated concern within the communities, stressing that such payments had historically contributed to maintaining peaceful relations between the operating company and its host communities.

The Forum also expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as prolonged delays in the payment of indigenous contractors.

It stated that some contractors were allegedly owed for periods extending to eight months or more after completing their contractual obligations, while contractors who had borrowed money to execute projects continued to incur interest and other financial pressures.

The Forum therefore demanded the immediate payment of outstanding contract sums owed to indigenous contractors, adherence to contractual payment timelines and the provision of mobilisation funds for future contracts where applicable.

It further called for greater participation of qualified indigenous contractors in projects within OML 30, noting that increased local participation would contribute to job creation, local capacity development and economic empowerment within the host communities.

On education and employment, the Forum called for the implementation of scholarship programmes which, according to it, had remained unimplemented for the past year, as well as the employment of qualified indigenous community graduates into the company’s workforce.

The Forum also raised concerns over the delay in the implementation of projects already scoped under the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) of OML 30.

It urged the relevant HCDT authorities to proceed with the award of contracts for the already-scoped community projects to qualified community contractors.

The Forum stated that its preference remained dialogue, consultation and partnership with the operating companies and other stakeholders.
However, it urged the relevant authorities to take urgent steps to address the outstanding issues and restore confidence among the host communities.

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The Forum further called for compliance with the relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), including provisions relating to benefits accruing to host communities.

While emphasising its commitment to peaceful engagement, the Forum warned that continued failure to resolve the outstanding issues could lead to protests across OML 30 facilities within its jurisdiction.

It appealed to all relevant stakeholders to act promptly in order to prevent the escalation of tensions and preserve the existing peaceful relationship between the operating companies and their host.