Delta Govt Resolves Heritage, OML 30 Landlord Feud

The Delta State Government has resolved a brewing dispute between Heritage Energy Limited, operators of the Oil Mineral Licence OML 30, and landlords over rent and expired leases.

Chief Vincent Oyibode, the State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, who resolved the dispute during a meeting with the parties in his Asaba office, urged Heritage Oil Company to take prompt action in paying the rental fees and expired leases.

He stated that the budgeting process was time-consuming for oil companies and urged the company to work hard to ensure that the new rent rates were paid within the next year.

Chief Oyibode stated that the State Government would shortly hold a
Stakeholder engagement with oil companies and host communities to address long-standing issues impeding the state’s sustainable oil production.

The Oil and Gas Commissioner, while commending the oil landlords for their peaceful demeanour and for not taking the law into their own hands, urged the oil company to reduce the agitation by processing payments on time.

He stated that despite the recent events at Okuama, Delta State remains the most investor-friendly destination in the country, and urged all stakeholders to ensure enhanced peace and security as outlined in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.

Regarding the expired lease, Chief Oyibode urged the oil company to conduct legal verification within two months to resolve the matter and pay the oil landlords as soon as possible.

Speaking on behalf of Heritage Energy Limited, Dr Jerry Oharisi and Mr Edesiri Akpomudjere of the company’s Government and Community Relations Department stated that the land rental payment was being verified and would be paid next month.

Earlier, Barr. Alfred Serumeh, National Chairman of the OML 30 Landlords and Families, expressed regret that Heritage Oil had refused to pay for expired leases that SPDC had last paid over 20 years ago.

He stated that oil landlords were willing to work with the government and the oil company to ensure sustainable oil production in the state, but urged the government to compel Heritage Energy to fulfil its obligations to the oil landlords.