Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has lauded Seplat Energy Plc for its consistent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts and meaningful engagement with host communities. He assured the company of his administration’s continued support and a conducive environment for seamless operations in the state.
The Governor gave the assurance recently, when he received the Seplat Energy management team, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roger Brown, at Government House, Asaba.
Oborevwori commended the company’s approach to community relations—particularly in empowerment programmes, educational support, and healthcare interventions—describing them as essential to maintaining peace in oil-producing areas.
“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”, he said.
“So, what you are saying today is not new to me”.
He continued: “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 also applauded Seplat’s employment policy, noting that 30 percent of its operational workforce are Deltans. However, he called for greater inclusion of host community members in leadership roles.
“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”, he said.
On the company’s operational challenges, Oborevwori expressed concern and offered assurance.
“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”,he said.
“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”.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State (left), receiving a souvenir from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Seplat Energy PLC, Mr. Roger Brown, during a courtesy visit by the management of Seplat Energy PLC to the Governor at Government House, Asaba , recently.
Earlier, Seplat Energy CEO, Mr. Roger Brown, reiterated Delta State’s strategic importance to the company, which hosts two of its most valuable onshore blocks.
He said 30 percent of the company’s workforce prior to the ExxonMobil acquisition were from Delta State and outlined recent milestones, including the near-completion of a 1 million scf/day gas plant in Sapele with integrated Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and planned Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities.
Brown also highlighted ongoing CSR efforts: 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 added that Seplat plans to end routine gas flaring in 2025, five years ahead of Nigeria’s national target.
