Heritage Energy Never Abandoned Host Communities, Odidi Women Declare, Reject 48-Hour Ultimatum
By Ezekiel Kagbala
WARRI — The leadership of the women of Odidi Federated Community in Delta State has distanced itself from a publication purportedly issued on behalf of the women of Odidi and Kantu Federated Communities, which gave a 48-hour ultimatum to Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL).
In a press statement signed on Saturday in Warri, Delta State by the Women Leader of Odidi Federated Community, Mrs. Nancy Ado Ikpidi, alongside the Youth Leader, Mr. Oyateide Joseph, and other concerned stakeholders, the community described the publication as false, misleading, and unrepresentative of the collective position of the people of Odidi.
According to the statement, the publication was allegedly orchestrated by individuals pursuing personal interests rather than the welfare of the host community.
The stakeholders maintained that contrary to the allegations contained in the publication, HEOSL has remained actively engaged with affected host communities following the pipeline spill incident.
They stated that the company had participated in several Joint Investigation Visits (JIVs) with regulatory agencies and community representatives, maintained continuous engagement with community leaders, paid compensation to affected persons where applicable, and distributed relief materials to victims, including a recent exercise conducted on June 15, 2026.
"The available facts clearly demonstrate that Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited has not abandoned the host communities as falsely portrayed," the statement read.
The community further emphasized that Mrs. Nancy Ado Ikpidi remains the duly recognized Women Leader of Odidi Federated Community, stressing that any genuine position of the women on matters affecting the community must emanate from the recognized leadership.
The stakeholders questioned the credibility of the purported press briefing, noting that the recognized women leadership was neither informed nor consulted before the publication was made public.
They warned individuals against making public statements on behalf of the women of Odidi and Kantu Federated Communities without proper consultation with the legitimate community leadership.
The statement described the publication as a deliberate attempt to blackmail HEOSL, mislead the public, and create unnecessary tension capable of undermining the prevailing peace in the community.
The women and stakeholders also called on security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, and other relevant security formations, to investigate those behind the publication over concerns that the alleged misinformation could be aimed at creating unrest and disrupting oil production activities for selfish interests.
While acknowledging the interventions already undertaken by HEOSL, the community appealed to the company to intensify efforts towards implementing a permanent engineering solution to recurring pipeline spill incidents affecting the area.
According to the statement, lasting technical solutions, prompt maintenance, environmental remediation, and sustained collaboration between the company, host communities, and regulatory agencies remain critical to achieving lasting peace, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
The stakeholders urged the media, government, regulatory agencies, and the public to disregard what they described as misleading publications capable of causing unnecessary tension, while advising journalists and members of the public to verify information with the legitimate leadership of the community before publication.
