Representatives of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality in Warri have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who holds the positions of President and Minister of Petroleum Resources, to immediately relocate Chevron Nigeria Limited’s (CNL) operational headquarters to either Warri or Excravos in Delta State.
The Itsekiri nation believes that this relocation is vital to bolstering confidence within host communities and fostering a deeper sense of peaceful coexistence between Chevron and the local populace. They argue that situating the headquarters closer to communities directly affected by Chevron’s operations will facilitate better communication, understanding, and collaboration between the company and its host communities.
In a press conference held on Tuesday, April 16, in Warri, Delta State, Mr. Collins Edema, a representative of the Olu of Warri palace and liaison to NNPCL, emphasized the urgent need for President Tinubu’s intervention. He highlighted the necessity for declaring a state of emergency in Itsekiri oil-producing communities such as Ugborodo, Orere, and Ogheye Elekporo, which have suffered from recurrent sea surges leading to land erosion.
The Itsekiri nation also raised concerns about the gross marginalization of Itsekiri sons and daughters in employment opportunities by oil companies operating in the region. Despite Itsekiri communities contributing approximately 33 percent of Nigeria’s crude oil and gas production quantum, they lamented the lack of equitable representation in employment opportunities.
Furthermore, they urged President Tinubu to issue an executive order to NNPCL and other joint venture partners, mandating the reservation of 60 percent of job slots for natives of Itsekiri communities. Additionally, they appealed for a review of the alleged marginalization in contract awards for projects by oil companies operating in Itsekiri communities, advocating for fair consideration of companies owned by Itsekiri individuals in the allocation of Oil Mining Licenses.
The statement reads in part: “In the light of all that we have stated above, we therefore make the following demands; We call on the President and Commander in Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to help prevail on the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) led by the Group Chief Executive Officer Malam Mele Kyari to give special considerations to the Itsekiri People in terms of employment (even beyond what is captured in the Nigerian Oil, and Gas Industry Content Dev. Act 2010) both in the NNPCL, its subsidiaries like the NUPRC, NAPIMS, NMDPRA, NGIC, NGMC, NNPC E & P, WRPC, etc, and JV partners operating in Itsekiri homeland like Chevron Nigeria Limited, SPDC, ND Western, Conoil, Seplat, Neconde, Heritage Oil, etc. This has become necessary because as at today, the Itsekiri graduates have the lowest employability rate compared to other ethnic groups in Nigeria despite being amongst the best.
“We call on the President and Commander in Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to issue an executive order to NNPCL and JV partners concerning employment of indigenes of Host Communities by specifying a particular percentage (60%) be given by the “project promoter” to those whose areas the “project” is located.
“We wish to call on the President and Commander in Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to call the Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited to order especially concerning the recent bogus service contract employment currently brewing unrest within their area of operations, and for recruitment concerning “project aurora” so as to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“We call on the President and Commander in Chief who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to order the immediate relocation of the Operational Headquarters of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) to Warri or Escravos. This will help to boost host community confidence in the operations of CNL and deepen peaceful existence between the company and her host communities.
“We wish to call on the President and Commander in Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to prevail on the NNPCL (through the NNPC Foundation)/JV Partners to give special consideration to Itsekiri Oil bearing Communities in terms of CSR projects especially in the provision of health care (to save our pregnant women), portable drinking water, and electricity.
“We wish to call on the President and Commander in Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to declare a ‘state of emergency’ in Itsekiri Oil Producing Communities like Ugborodo, Orere, Ogheye, Ekekporo whose land has been swept under the ocean due to recurrent sea surge (occasioned by climate change associated with crude oil exploration), and begin shoreline protection projects to forestall indigenes of these communities being swept into the sea especially as we approach another raining season.
“We wish to call on the President and Commander in Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to direct the NNPCL (especially through the NNPC Foundation) and JV Partners to build or renovate, and fully equip Primary and Secondary Schools in our Communities. This includes building a Staff quarters as well.
“We wish to call on the President and Commander in Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to direct the NNPCL to address the lopsideness associated with contract awards in projects being executed in Itsekiri homeland by the NNPCL, its subsidiaries, and JV partners as seen with the recent renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract where the Itsekiri Nation has been shortchanged. The NNPCL has continously disregarded the local content act as it relates to awarding contracts to Itsekiri owned businesses in our homeland.
“We wish to call on the President and Commander in Chief who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to direct the NNPCL to give Itsekiri owned businesses ‘special priority in the award and allocation of Oil Mining Licences in the next opportunity. This will believe will go a long way in making us have a sense of belonging in the Oil wealth God almighty has graciously deposited in our homeland,” he stated.
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
