Sales Meeting Agenda

Fury over sales of OMLs in Delta

By Emma Amaize

Barrels of trouble

THERE is anger among the Ndokwa, Isoko, Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri peoples in Delta State against Shell Petroleum Development Company, SDPC, over recent sales of onshore blocs – Oil Mining Leases, (OML) 30, 34, 40, 42 with reserves of two billion barrels, by the Anglo-Dutch oil conglomerate.

The people are livid that the oil mining leases were sold without their consent. In June, some land owners in OML 30 in Isokoland, stormed the oil facility and beat up SPDC officials, who they chased away from the flow station.

The company invited the police who arrested the national president of the Isoko National Youths, Ogaga Egbuwoku and other Oleh youths. The arrest of the youth leaders, who had since been released, did not humidify the people, as they launched another attack on the company, destroying property, including its vehicles.

Though, the company denied the allegation of fraudulent sales leveled against it by the communities, it is evident that all is not well between it and its host communities. However, SPDC’s Corporate Media Relations Manager, Mr. Tony Okonedo,  said:  “SPDC’s divestment of its equity from some oil blocs in the Niger Delta is compliant with its contractual rights which guide the oil industry in Nigeria.

The company also rejects any suggestions that its divestment is illegal, non transparent or done to undermine the interest of any stakeholders”.

The Isoko people are not alone in the protest. In fact, the natives of  Omadino, an Itsekiri  community in Warri South Local Government Area, threatened to sue SPDC over the unlawful sales.

The community, which claimed to be Shell’s largest stakeholder and chief host to its northern swamp operations in Delta State, in a statement by its chairman, Mr. Austin Oniyesan, said: “It is a criminal breach of trust on the part of Shell to carry out the process of sales of its operational facilities and completed a sales purchase agreement of the oil mining lease OML 42 without the consent of the Omadino community that authorised lease of operation to the company.”

Coordinator of Niger Delta Survival Synergy, a non-governmental organisation, fighting for the rights and development of oil communities in the region, Okiroro Iki-Ebieroma told Sunday Vanguard, “Top officials of SPDC used some companies as fronts to disregard the interest of indigenous people in the sales of OML”.

Sales Meeting – Agenda or No Agenda?

Here is a set of steps you can discuss with your sales people… Always have meeting agendas. When the meeting with the Client/Probable Client begins, confirm the agenda...if there is any hesitation on the Client’s part...take the time to understand the situation and decide whether the situation is better or worse than the situation you thought was agreed to under the agenda. If it is worse then step back and do not start the meeting until you believe something has changed for the better. If nothing changes for the better....you should recognize the Client probably does not want to do the business meeting with you at this time. Have strategies ready for that situation. Let the Client know you are sensing maybe this not the right time for the Client to do the meeting . See how the Client reacts. Perhaps, insist on returning later rather than proceeding. Use your judgment. If the situation is better than expected under the agenda...try to go with it. Try to understand what has changed and what the Client is now thinking and wanting. Then decide whether or not you can get that done, and make money. If you feel you are not prepared then maybe you will be uncomfortable and that may be a good reason to re-book the meeting?