Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has commended Seplat Energy for its ongoing investments and community engagement initiatives within the state, while urging the company to deepen local inclusion and maintain high standards of corporate responsibility.
The governor gave the charge on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of Seplat Energy to Government House, Asaba, where the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roger Brown, along with top executives, presented an overview of Seplat’s current operations and plans for the state to the governor.
Gov. Oborevwori acknowledged Seplat’s contributions to education, healthcare, and skills development in host communities, describing the efforts as “commendable” and vital for sustaining peace and mutual understanding.
“Since I became governor, I have monitored your operations closely, how you engage host communities and how you strengthen them through empowerment initiatives.
“Your ongoing efforts, such as support for primary schools, provision of materials, teacher training, and the establishment of laboratories, have played a key role in fostering peace,” he said.
However, Gov. Oborevwori called for greater inclusion of indigenes at the management level of the company.
“I understand that 30 percent of your workforce is from local communities, but I’ve yet to see anyone from the host communities in your upper management.
“It’s not only about employment but ensuring meaningful growth opportunities,” he stated.
Gov. Oborevwori also addressed a sensitive issue involving reported misconduct by Chinese personnel linked to Seplat operations, which he said had been discussed off camera.
He warned that such incidents must not recur, stressing the need for mutual respect in all company dealings with communities.
The governor reiterated the state’s commitment to peace and stability, noting that Delta’s contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are made possible by its peaceful and secure environment.
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“Dialogue remains our priority in addressing issues. Confrontation only breeds more problems, and the consequences affect both the communities and the companies operating here,” the governor said.
Earlier, Seplat Energy’s CEO, Mr. Roger Brown, described Delta State as critical to the company’s operations, revealing that two of its seven onshore oil blocks are located within the state, along with several active production zones, including Sapele and Amukpe.
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“Seplat Energy is bigger today than it was 15 years ago. We now have 11 blocks, seven onshore and four offshore with Delta State playing a central role,” Brown said.
He announced the completion of a new 19 million standard cubic feet per day gas plant in Sapele and outlined plans to expand into Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), aligning with the federal government’s domestic gas utilization drive.
Highlighting Seplat’s corporate social investment, Blank said the company had impacted over 50,000 pupils through its PEARLs Quiz Programme and established multiple STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) labs across the state.
A new eye care center has also been launched in Sapele under its ‘Eye Can See’ programme.
On economic empowerment, Blank disclosed that Seplat had awarded contracts worth over ₦500 billion to local contractors in Delta State over the past decade.
Seplat further committed to eliminating routine gas flaring by 2025, five years ahead of Nigeria’s national target, reinforcing its sustainability goals.
