Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has called on oil companies operating in the state to step up investments in host communities to reduce long-standing grievances and foster sustainable development.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the governor made the appeal when the management of Seplat Energy paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba. He praised the company for its efforts in corporate social responsibility (CSR) but emphasized that more still needs to be done to address the concerns of host communities.
In the Ugborhen community, Sapele Local Government Area, one of the state’s oil-producing hubs, residents continue to complain of neglect. Community leaders lament poor infrastructure, limited employment opportunities for indigenes, and a lack of meaningful development projects, despite being surrounded by oil facilities.
Governor Oborevwori, speaking further in Asaba, said the state government would continue to provide a business-friendly environment but urged companies to balance profits with real community impact. He stressed that addressing the needs of host communities, such as Ugborhen, is crucial for peace and long-term cooperation. The report by Mediaplusng.com highlights his insistence that CSR projects must translate into tangible benefits for ordinary people.
The governor also reiterated that dialogue and collaboration between oil companies and their host communities remain vital for reducing tensions in Delta State, one of Nigeria’s major oil-producing regions.
With rising expectations from residents, the call for oil companies to expand their community development initiatives may define the next phase of corporate community relations in Delta.
