By Simeon OSAJIE
The people of Orogho Community, Ugu Ward in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, under the aegis of ‘Association of Orogho Community, Council of Representations’ have raised an alarm over what they termed injustice and ceding of seven Edo State oil wells to neighbouring Delta State by Seplat Energy PLC.
In a statement signed by the association’s Secretary General, Mr. Ikponmwosa Osayomore and Mr. Ekhator Lucky made available to The9jaTREND in Benin, the state capital, the association said that Seplat took over the facilities of SPDC 2013 and had since engaged in various forms of injustice against Orogho Community in Edo State, by ceding oil wells to Okonu and Boborokun communities in Delta.
According to the community, Seplat wants to commence the drilling of natural resources from ‘Well 5,’ thus bringing to seven, the number of Edo oil wells ceded to communities in Delta State, adding that “We will resist them if we are denied benefits from well 5.
“We have the coordinates to substantiate Edo State ownership of the oil wells,” the community said.
The community said that relevant stakeholders, including government and security agencies have been alerted to the development with a view to stopping the “Prolonged systemic exploitation” without success.
The community further disclosed that when the pressure became intense on Seplat to do the right thing, Delta resorted to attack on the people of Edo communities.
All efforts made by The9jaTREND Correspondent through phone calls to Sunday Okologo, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Seplat Energy PLC to get his reaction proved abortive as he refused to pick up his phone calls.