The cluster management committee/president generals’ forum of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30, has shut down operations of Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd (HEOSL), operators of OML 30.
The committee has also requested for the total disengagement of HEOSlfrom operating OML 30.
The committee in a resolution signed by its chairman and secretary, Harrison Obogor and Ibuje Joseph, respectively, and made available to Businessday in Warri, said they would not back down until all their demands were met.
The committee, which represents the 112 host communities to OML 30, on Monday, said they have shut down operations of HEOSL since Friday, November 6, 2020, because of the “operator’s penchant and recalcitrant attitude” to all agreed obligations in line with the general memorandum of understanding ( GMOU) earlier signed.
The forum accused HEOSL of failure to pay their host communities 2019 and 2020 GMOU funds despite the conducive and peaceful environment.
They also accused HEOSL of stopping the payment of scholarship award to the host communities since 2016.
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The cluster management committee noted that “HEOSL has refused to carry out the agreed staff audit of its Edjeba and Lagos offices, and has reneged in providing CSR projects in OML 30 since it became an operator of the asset.
According to the group, other issues with HEOSL include “non-inclusion of indigenous personnel in management positions to reflect the 70/ 30 ratio as enshrined in the GMOU.
“Inability of HEOSL to pay vendors despite the hitch-free operation, non-payment of salaries accrued to access control workers spanning into months.”
They stressed that HEOSL was also “making it absolutely impossible for communities to access the deducted five percent investible funds from the GMOU funds as enshrined in the GMOU since the inception of OML 30 till date, and delay in carrying out GMOU projects.”
They said HEOSL have displayed gross indifferent to their host communities by their “Total refusal to share and adhere to GMOU article 5’ 10 of awarding the assets security and grass cutting directly by the communities.
“Consistent refusal of HEOSL to pay penalty for the default of GMOU funds payment as clearly stated in article 18’2 in every of its failed payments to communities.”
In the telephone conversation, the general manager, community relations, HEOSL, Sylvester Okoh, told our correspondent that he was not authorised to comment on the development.
“I don’t have the authority to speak on this matter. I will refer you to our Lagos office.”
Efforts at contacting the Lagos office did not yield any fruitful result as at the time of filling.
