THE people of oil producing communities in Kokori and Orogun, Ethiope East and Ughelli North local government areas of Delta State have dissociated themselves from the recent shutdown of the facilities of Heritage Energy Operational Service Limited, HEOSL.

Leaders of the communities, in a statement by Chief Andrew Udjemu and Mr. Ogaga Onovea, said the people were not aware or part of the protest and shutdown of the facilities.

The statement noted; “We the Presidents General and other executive members of various oil producing communities of Kokori and Orogun oil producing communities are not responsible for the shutdown and any cost/loses arising from it should not affect both communities.”

They emphasized that they were not aware of any grievances and protest carried out against the operation of HEOSL.

“The 2021 Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA), section 257, states that, ‘where in any year, or an act of civil unrest occur which caused damage to the facilities or disrupts operation, the host community shall be responsible for the losses incurred but only to the extent that such losses are not caused by the Settlor’, the statement said.

The statement urged HEOSL to take note of those behind the protest, adding that oil producing communities of Kokori and Orogun were not in any way, part of the protest.