The Edo State Government has initiated a process to correct the alleged ceding of some oil wells at the Orogho community in Orhionmw Local Government Area of the state to Delta State.

The State deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, led a delegation to the community on Friday to seek an amicable resolution to the controversy surrounding the ceding of the oil wells being operated by Seplat Energy PLC.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr Friday Aghedo, Idahosa met with Odionwere of the community, Pa Odiase Omorogieva, youth leaders and community members as part of moves to peacefully resolve the issue.

He commended them for their peaceful disposition since the ceding of their “natural wealth” to another state.

He added, “My visit is to douse tension and allay the fear of losing their God-given mineral resources to another state, while the community where oil exploration and production takes place is under development.”

Idahosa assured that the present administration would explore all avenues and liaise with relevant agencies of government to ensure that the benefits from the assets in Edo State were restored to boost socio-economic development.

Idahosa, who inspected the disputed oil wells in the company of the General Manager, Government Relations, Seplat Energy, Mrs Adiza Gambati, appealed to the people not to take the law into their hands as the matter would be given the needed attention.

The community youth leader, Charles Eghaghe, expressed satisfaction over the prompt response by the state government to find an amicable resolution to the injustice meted to the Orogho community.

He noted that since 1993, when Shell Petroleum Development Company began operation in the disputed oil wells, royalties were paid to Edo State Government in addition to corporate social responsibility.

He, however, noted that things changed when Seplat Energy PLC took over the operations of the oil wells.

Eghaghe appealed to the government to urgently wade into the matter and return the disputed oil wells to the state, as most youths of Orogho who were graduates had no jobs, being an oil-producing community.

Idahosa was accompanied on the fact-finding visit by the Special Adviser on Oil and Gas to the governor, Mr Felix Isere, and Hon Pius Alile, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor. (Saturday PUNCH)