By Bernadette Idalu
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on behalf of the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, embarked on a fact-finding mission to Orogho Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area on Friday, April 4, to investigate claims that Seplat Energy Plc had ceded Edo State-owned oil wells to Delta State.
Accompanied by top government officials and staff of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), Idahosa met with indigenes of the Orogho community as well as key management staff of Seplat Energy Plc. The meetings aimed to foster dialogue, broker peace, and find lasting solutions to the ongoing dispute.
Using digital mapping and geospatial data, EdoGIS verified the coordinates and landmass of the oil wells in question. Based on this assessment, Idahosa confirmed—before representatives of both parties—that the four disputed oil wells rightfully belong to Edo State. He stated that the state government would engage with relevant federal agencies to ensure that all benefits and royalties accruing from these oil fields are henceforth allocated to Edo State.
While Seplat Energy Plc officials declined to comment, the Leader of the Orogho Council, Comrade Charles Eghaghe, expressed gratitude to Governor Okpebholo’s administration for intervening in the matter. He noted that the dispute had strained the company’s corporate social relations with its host community and commended the government’s efforts as a fulfillment of its campaign promises to the people of Edo State
