Alleged Marginalisation: Itsekiri, Ijaw, Ilaje Graduates Threaten Shutdown of Chevron Facilities

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Itsekiri, Ijaw, Ilaje graduates have threatened to shut down Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) oil facilities in protest against alleged marginalisation by the oil firm.
The coalition of ethnic nationalities’ graduates, under the aegis of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG); (KOMBOT) – Egbema and Gbaramatu Graduates Employment Front and National Association of Ilaje Graduates (NAIG), in a letter sent to the Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, warned that they would no longer fold their arms watching the oil company marginalising them in terms of employment.

In the letter dated May 4, 2024, written to the CNL Managing Director, a copy which was made available to THISDAY, yesterday, the coalition wrote: “We, the undersigned graduate representatives of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje ethnic nationalities under the auspices of the 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 states, respectively, write to you, as a matter of urgency to call Chevron Mid-Africa (CNL-NMA) to order and address the issue of gross marginalization of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje ethnic nationalities 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 the shortest possible time.”

The coalition said series of letters had been sent but that Chevron, in its usual way, ignored them threatening that the latest letter would be followed with shutting down of its facilities if their demands were not met within 21 days.
Some of the demands from Chevron, the coalition stated include stoppage of all secret employment and giving them 70 percent of all employments as well as conversion of all host community contract staff which includes VTP 5 and VTP 6 to regular staff with full benefits.
The coalition is also demanding that 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 and procurement.

Other demands include: “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 of business services 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).”

In conclusion, the coalition said it was issuing a 21-day ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited to call for a round table meeting to discuss the demands or face the wrath of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje graduates worldwide.

The letter was signed Ben Eyitemi Eburajolo (President) and Comr. Esiategiwa Mino, Secretary For National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG); Comr. Olaye Tare (President) and Comr. Kin Ijoukumoh Charles (General Secretary) for KOMBOT- Egbema and Gbaramatu Graduates Employment Front while Ikuesan Ademola Kelly (President) and Temidunmi Adeyemi Akins (Secretary) for National Association of Ilaje Graduates (NAIG).