Mkpoikana Udoma
16 January 2016, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — There are indications that the people of Egi clan in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema Local Government Area of Rivers State have resolved to make Egi land non-conducive for Total Exploration and Production Nigeria to operate in.
The resolution follows alleged refusal by the oil company to either reinstate the 47 indigenes of Egi clan whose appointments, according to them, were wrongfully terminated since 2014, or pay their terminal benefits.
“Total has pushed us to the wall and we are set to fight back” said one of the disengaged workers.
The aggrieved workers said they would soon begin a process that would lead to the shutting down of the companies operations in Egiland in order to force Total to either leave the area or heed the demand of the people with respect to the sacked workers.
The workers disclosed that they had already told security operatives in the state to hold Total responsible for any breakdown of law and order, accusing the company of deliberately trying to plunge the area into another round of crises.
It was gathered that Orashi youths, under the umbrella of Niger Delta Youth Movement (Orashi region) had earlier, through their counsel, Barr. Ken Atsuwete and Co., issued an ultimatum to the company, demanding immediate payment of entitlements and remunerations to the 47 indigenous contract staff sacked by Total in July 2014.
They were sacked by the company for embarking on a peaceful protest calling on the company to convert them to regular staff having worked for many years as contract staff.
They have continued to condemn the treatments meted out to them as unjust and a calculated attempt to remove all Egi people from the company, noting that some of the workers sacked did not participate in the peaceful protest.
Total E and P is yet to respond to these allegations. At the time of filing this report, Total’s General Manager, Media, Mr. Charles Ogan, when contacted told SweetCrudeReports that he is on vacation and he is not aware of the matter, thus cannot give any response.
