….Allege marginalisation by
By: Emmanuel Abi Couson
Aggrieved graduates of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje ethnic nationalities in Delta and Ondo states, have threatened to shut down operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), in 21 days over their claim of being marginalised and oppressed as host communities.
The group under the auspices of National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG), (KOMBOT) – Egbema and Gbaramatu Graduates Employment Front and National Association of Ilaje Graduates (NAIG), the graduates called for urgent intervention by Chevron Mid-Africa (CNL-NMA).
A letter jointly signed by Presidents and Secretaries of the groups – Ben Eburajolo and Comr. Esiategiwa Mino (Itsekiri); Comr. Olaye Tare and Comr. Kin Ijoukumoh Charles (Ijaw), as well as Ikuesan Ademola Kelly and Temidunmi Adeyemi Akins (Ilaje), said several letters written to Chevron on the subject were ignored. They listed eight demands including an end in “secret employment” by the oil firm.
Other demands include giving 70 per cent of all employments to host communities; conversion of all host community contract staff which includes VTP 5 and VTP 6 to regular staff with full benefits.
Also included in their demand are : giving host community contractors 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, reinstatement of one (Engr.) Timmy Okeoghene Okirika, as well as reservation of certain positions for host communities.
