Tejiri Ebikeme

Fresh tension is now brewing in the oil-rich Niger Delta following a threat by a group, Concerned Ijaw, Itsekiri and Ilaje Movement for Peace and Development to cripple operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited over non-payment of local contractors.

In a press statement signed by Ebipade Mark, Edema Gabriel and John Kolami, while commending Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) for giving jobs to local contractors in the spirit of the Nigerian Local Content, the group rained knocks on CNL contractors- Prime Sources Limited (PSL) for frustrating Local Community Contractors (LCC) for jobs executed.

The group wrote thus; “We want to commend CNL for giving jobs to our local contractors, but we are not happy with its contractors, Prime Sources Limited (PSL). The Community Contractors (LCC) have not been paid six months after the commencement of work and this is unacceptable to us.”

According to the group also; “We are not comfortable with the situation of our local community contractors in respect of refusal by Prime Sources Limited to pay them for jobs executed on its behalf for CNL. We are therefore, using this medium to appeal to Chevron to call Prime Sources Limited to order and make payments to our community local contractors with immediate effect.”

“We are giving 14-day ultimatum for payments to be made to the LCC by Prime Sources Limited that has even gone ahead to reduce drastically the agreed amount to be paid to the LCC. Urgent steps should be taken by Chevron to ensure prompt payment to the LCC to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region,” the group stated.

It added; “We still cherish the existing peace in the region, but we want to warn that after the expiration of our 14-day ultimatum we cannot guarantee any further peace and so in order for peace to reign so as not to cripple operations of Chevron, the relevant authorities should mount pressure on Prime Sources Limited to effect payment to the Local Community Contractors.”