By Maureen Eseh
The Honourable Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba has frowned at Heritage Petroleum’s records for defaulting on payment of funds to their host communities.
He enjoined the company to give priority to Olomoro community in the award of the Well Intervention Contract and equally asked them to abide by the two months promise made to address the two issues raised at the meeting.
This he said was necessary to avoid a situation of breakdown of law and order in the community.
Thus, he calmed frayed nerves between the two parties.
The commissioner expressed this in a meeting between the two that was held in his office at the Prof chike Edozien Secretariat Asaba.
The meeting centred on two major issues, Well Intervention Contract and non-payment of all outstanding funds due to the community by Heritage Petroleum.
The President General of the community, Chief Samuel Commander accused the firm of not being sincere in dealing with them.
He disclosed that the information available at their disposal, shows that the contract will be awarded to a different company (name withheld) instead of his community as earlier expected and this is not in faire spirit.
He expressed fear that his community might not eventually get the contract.
He also complained of the deliberate attitude of the company not to pay all outstanding payments due to the community.
Responding to the accusations, the Cooperate Relations Manager of the company, Mr. Akpomudjre Edesiri said his company was yet to conclude on the bidding process of the Well Intervention Contract, so the fear of Olomoro community wad unfounded on the issue.
He said that non-payment of all outstanding funds to the community that was being complained of was not in contest but it is because the company has been having financial challenges but promised that they will address the matter within a space of two months, as they will conclude the payment and equally address the well intervention contract.
