Oil-producing communities in Delta State under the OML 30 Flow Stations Presidents-General Forum have given Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited a two-week ultimatum to address outstanding concerns over contractor payments, employment, scholarships and host-community projects.
The forum, representing several OML 30 host communities, said delayed payments to indigenous contractors and traditional stakeholders, limited local employment and stalled Host Communities Development Trust projects had created growing dissatisfaction.
In a letter to the company and copied to regulators, government agencies, security authorities and other stakeholders, the communities demanded prompt settlement of verified contract debts and adherence to payment timelines.
They also called for greater participation by qualified indigenous contractors, renewed scholarship programmes and employment opportunities for qualified graduates from host communities.
The forum urged relevant HCDT authorities to proceed with already-scoped community projects and said implementation should comply with the Petroleum Industry Act.
Community leaders stressed that their preferred approach remained dialogue and consultation.
However, they warned that unresolved grievances could lead to protests across OML 30 facilities.
The claims are demands by host-community representatives. The report supplied no substantive response from Heritage Energy to the individual allegations and payment claims.
