Victor Ahiuma-Young
14 August 2012, Sweetcrude, LAGOS – IJAW graduates from oil and gas bearing communities of Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms in Delta State, operating under Kombot Employment Front, KEF, have issued a 7-day ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, to employ successful Ogere trainees among them or face a disruption of its operations in their areas.
They also demands annual recruitment of 20 graduates into Chevron Nigeria Limited as regular staff, conversion of Egbema and Gbaramatu indigenes who are contract staff to permanent staff and immediate recruitment of their graduates into Escravos Gas to Liquid Project operation team.
In a petition to CNL by Messrs Ojusin Innocent (Chairman), Bebenimbo Alex (Secretary and Nimi Peter, (PRO) KEF, respectively, said: “Having explored all available peaceful means of resolving these vital issues, which are critical to our livelihood as a people, we shall make the area turbulent for Chevron this time.
“We had written series of letters to Chevron drawing her attention to the high unemployment rate in our communities but all these approaches failed to yield the desired result. Chevron is insensitive and nonchalant about the welfare of the Ijaw communities, therefore never took us serious.
Several protest letters have been dispatched to relevant authorities intimating them of the wicked attitude of Chevron towards us. Therefore, we are calling on Chevron to immediately address the issues raised above or face our wrath at the expiration of the 7-day ultimatum. We want to take our destiny into our own hands”
