BY JOELSON EBOH
THE Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. Peter Uviejitobor, has reiterated the critical role of the ministry in enhancing the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through sustained peace-building efforts and robust stakeholder engagement.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Editorial team of Veracity Magazine, a quarterly publication of the Delta State Ministry of Information, Uviejitobor outlined the ministry’s key interventions and accomplishments in alignment with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda.
He noted that although the Ministry does not directly award projects, it plays a pivotal intermediary role between oil companies, host communities, and critical MDAs.
“This is not a project-awarding ministry. It is an interventionist ministry. We mediate between the settlors and host communities to ensure peace, prevent shutdowns of oil facilities and maintain Delta State’s leading position in oil production”. the Commissioner stated.
Uviejitobor disclosed that the ministry recently averted the shutdown of the Otumara flow station in OML43, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Warri South Local Government Area, which he said, would have cost 20,000 barrels of crude oil over disagreement tied to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)
The Commissioner also disclosed that the Ministry successfully settled a decade-long ownership dispute over Well 9 in the Owhe Field (OML30), involving Oto-Owhe and Olomoro communities in Isoko North and South local government areas. Similarly, tensions between Uzere community and Heritage Energy over the Independent Power Plant (IPP) project were peacefully resolved.
“These field visits are carried out weekly. I always encourage stakeholders to document their grievances through formal petitions because I cannot work in a vacuum,” he added.
Speaking further, Uviejitobor said the ministry has aligned its operations to promote environmental peace and development through strategic partnerships and youth-focused programs.
“We’ve initiated the Delta Youth Development Programmes and pushed for the execution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects by oil companies. These steps have helped reduce youth restiveness and improved crude oil output,” he said.
He also revealed that the Ministry has facilitated a two-year free gas supply deal from Heritage Energy to power the Independent Power Plant, thereby supporting the state’s gas to power initiative and reducing gas flaring.
Similarly, he mentioned that the Ministry has also commenced internal revenue generation through the registration of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) retailers via accredited agents, noting that as a result, 12 new LPG stations are currently in the pipeline across the state.
“Our aim is to ensure Delta remains the number one oil-producing state in Nigeria by preventing crises, facilitating investment, and ensuring smooth operations in host communities,” he said.
