Itsekiri Group Seeks FG, Delta’s Intervention in Face-off with Chevron

Sylvester Idowu in Warri   

Itsekiri oil-producing communities in Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) operational fields of Dibi, Olero and Abiteye in Delta State have called on the federal and Delta State Governments to prevail on the American oil company to fulfil its promise to give full employment to indigenes engaged as casual staff since last year.

Acting under the auspices of Niger Delta Itsekiri Oil Producing Communities (NDIOPC), the group threatened that should the federal and Delta State Governments fail to resolve the issues, they would take drastic actions which might disrupt the operations of the company.

Chairman of NDIOPC, Raymond Aderojo, in a statement issued in Warri yesterday, said the group was placing the federal and Delta State Governments on notice over their planned severe action against Chevron as a result of the company’s alleged refusal to implement a five-point demand tabled before the company since last year.

He disclosed that the group has been demanding the immediate conversion of their brothers in the VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6 training programme to staff of Chevron Nigeria Limited; the commencement of work for the provision of the hospital, potable water, electricity, increment of our community worker’s salary among others.

Aderojo declared: “Our decision to take the bull by the horn was reached after a three-day meeting by indigenes of the communities, where they took a cursory look at the lackadaisical behaviour of Chevron as regards our demands.                        

“The management of Chevron Nigeria Limited had repeatedly failed in its promises to meet their demands despite the appeal/intervention of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and the Delta State Government.”