By Emma Arubi
Five host communities to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) oil fields of Dibi, Abiteye, Olero, Omadino and Ugborodo respectively in Delta State has issued a 2-weeks ultimatum to the management of CNL to summon an employment MoU Meeting for negotiation or face their wrath.
In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of CNL, dated 9th October, 2024 and signed by the Acting Chairman and Secretary of Itsekiri Employment and Empowerment Council (IEEC) Mr. Lawrence Okorodudun and Mr. Amofeye Tola-John including Ten representatives of the various fields, they said Chevron can not invite host community indigenes to compete with other Nigerians for job placement in their land as it is against the Nigeria Local Content Act.
The letter entitled “Protest against letter of employment…” stated that as host Communities, they alone bear all the hazardous effects of oil exploration and exploitation activities of CNL operations and are therefore entitled to job slots to each community, warning that the CNL practice of general employment interview is an outdated ploy used to shot-change them in the past and they can no longer accept it. They requested CNL to immediately withdraw the letter sent to the various community leaders informing them of a purported job placement interview.
The letter cited instances where CNL gives employment to other Nigerians on their land while equally qualify host community indigenes remain permanently unemployed, noting that preference must be given to them henceforth as stipulated by extant laws of Nigeria and the Constitution.
According the letter, ” we are giving CNL 2-weeks ultimatum to call for Employment MoU Meeting to negotiate and get our rightful dues and privileges” saying that ” if they fail to summon this meeting we shall start our protest from their Swamp operation and escalate it to Field operations where we shall ground all their activities from flight stoppage, food/water supplies, sea transportation, work materials and all.
The IEEC therefore cautioned that CNL take their peaceful disposition with all the seriousness it deserves as the outcome of any default from them will not be to their advantage.
Representatives who signed the letter for the various fields are: Mrs. Lilian Fregene and Francis Oneyesangbe for Abiteye; Alfred Igbiaye and Mene-k. Oritseneye for Dibi; Mode Clement and O.N. Wawe for Olero. Others include, Oritsetimeyin Aginejuone and Ejueyitse -Edward Oritsema for Omadino and Madam Tessy Abuja Oludewa and Mr. Tom Favour Jolomi for Ugborodo respectively.
Five host communities to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) oil fields of Dibi, Abiteye, Olero, Omadino and Ugborodo respectively in Delta State has issued a 2-weeks ultimatum to the management of CNL to summon an employment MoU Meeting for negotiation or face their wrath.
In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of CNL, dated 9th October, 2024 and signed by the Acting Chairman and Secretary of Itsekiri Employment and Empowerment Council (IEEC) Mr. Lawrence Okorodudun and Mr. Amofeye Tola-John including Ten representatives of the various fields, they said Chevron can not invite host community indigenes to compete with other Nigerians for job placement in their land as it is against the Nigeria Local Content Act.
The letter entitled “Protest against letter of employment…” stated that as host Communities, they alone bear all the hazardous effects of oil exploration and exploitation activities of CNL operations and are therefore entitled to job slots to each community, warning that the CNL practice of general employment interview is an outdated ploy used to shot-change them in the past and they can no longer accept it. They requested CNL to immediately withdraw the letter sent to the various community leaders informing them of a purported job placement interview.
The letter cited instances where CNL gives employment to other Nigerians on their land while equally qualify host community indigenes remain permanently unemployed, noting that preference must be given to them henceforth as stipulated by extant laws of Nigeria and the Constitution.
According the letter, ” we are giving CNL 2-weeks ultimatum to call for Employment MoU Meeting to negotiate and get our rightful dues and privileges” saying that ” if they fail to summon this meeting we shall start our protest from their Swamp operation and escalate it to Field operations where we shall ground all their activities from flight stoppage, food/water supplies, sea transportation, work materials and all.
The IEEC therefore cautioned that CNL take their peaceful disposition with all the seriousness it deserves as the outcome of any default from them will not be to their advantage.
Representatives who signed the letter for the various fields are: Mrs. Lilian Fregene and Francis Oneyesangbe for Abiteye; Alfred Igbiaye and Mene-k. Oritseneye for Dibi; Mode Clement and O.N. Wawe for Olero. Others include, Oritsetimeyin Aginejuone and Ejueyitse -Edward Oritsema for Omadino and Madam Tessy Abuja Oludewa and Mr. Tom Favour Jolomi for Ugborodo respectively.
