Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Ilaje graduate representatives have issued a stern ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited, demanding an end to perceived marginalization or face a complete shutdown of operations.
The coalition, consisting of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG), KOMBOT – Egbema and Gbaramatu Graduates Employment Front, and the National Association of Ilaje Graduates (NAIG), has demanded immediate action from Chevron or faces a complete shutdown of operations.
The demands, outlined in a letter made available to GbaramatuVoice on Saturday, May 4, include an end to secret employment practices, with a call for 70% of all employments to be reserved for the host communities. Additionally, they demand the conversion of host community contract staff to regular staff with full benefits and seek opportunities for host community contractors to bid for drilling contracts.
The coalition has also demanded the reinstatement of a terminated individual, citing breaches of various regulations and conventions. They advocate for leadership positions within Chevron to be reserved for members of the host communities and insist that all rigs and platforms in their areas be headed by individuals from the host communities.
Chevron Nigeria Limited has been given a twenty-one-day ultimatum to convene a roundtable meeting to discuss these demands, failing which the coalition threatens to escalate their actions.
The letter reads in full: We the undersigned graduate representatives of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje ethnic Nationalities under the auspices of National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG), (KOMBOT) – Egbema and Gbaramatu Graduates Employment Front and National Association of Ilaje Graduates (NAIG) who are host to Chevron Nigeria limited operations in Delta and Ondo state respectively write to you, as a matter of urgency call Chevron Mid-Africa (CNL-NMA) to order and address the issue of gross marginalization of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje ethnic nationality who are host to them or face total shutdown of her operations.
Rising from a meeting held on Wednesday 2nd May 2024, the graduate bodies have decided to shut down the operations of chevron Nigeria Limited if the oppression and marginalization is not addressed within a short possible time.
Let it be on record that we have written letters and Chevron Nigeria Limited in their usual way have ignored the letters.
OUR DEMANDS ARE;
- Chevron Nigeria Limited should stop all secret employment.
- Give us 70% of all employments.
- Conversation of all host community contract staff which includes VTP 5 and VTP 6 to regular staff with full benefits.
- Host community contractors should be given opportunity to tender and bid for drilling contracts or given right of first refusal in the award of drilling contracts, well head maintenance, production, procurement, etc.
- Reinstatement of Comrade (Engr.) Timmy Okeoghene Okirika, who was terminated by CNL in breach of the RDCs, GMoU, PENGASSAN CBA, Labour Act, ILO Conventions, and the National Assembly and Federal Ministry of Labour resolutions and orders.
- The director business service should be reserved for host communities, as another Igbo man (Marizu Nwokoma) cannot and should not occupy the second highest position in Chevron Nigeria Limited, where we already have an Igbo man as a JV Director (Iwueze Cosmas).
- All Chevron rigs and platforms in our areas must be headed by persons from host communities.
- Host communities should be given the position of general manager, operations in chevron tank farm and Escravos Gas to Liquid (EGTL).
As stated in our letters and publications, we do not want to be employed just with slots, we will pass through the process, and however 70% of the entire job slot should be reserved for Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje.
Conclusively, we are by this issuing Twenty one (21) day ultimatum to call for a round table meeting to discuss these demands or face the wrath of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje Graduates Worldwide.
Yours faithfully,
Ben Eyitemi Eburajolo
President
Comr. Esiategiwa Mino
Secretary
For National Association of Itsekiri
Graduates (NAIG)
Comr. Olaye Tare
President
Comr. Kin Ijoukumoh Charles General Secretary
For KOMBOT- Egbema and Gbaramatu KOMBOT- Egbema and Gbaramatu
Graduates Employment Front Graduates Employment Front
Ikuesan Ademola Kelly
President
Temidunmi Adeyemi Akins Secretary
For National Association of Ilaje Graduates (NAIG)
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