National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG, and National Association of Ilaje Graduates, NAIG, have voiced concerns about the continuous marginalisation of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje peoples from the employment quota of Chevron Nigeria Limited.

The groups demanded for 70 per cent of all employments from Chevron, saying if their demands were not met in time, they might be forced to shutdown the organisation’s operations.

Rising from a town hall meeting, the groups, in a communiqué signed by President of NAIG, Ben Eyitemi Eburajolo; Secretary of NAIG, Esiategiwa Mino; Olaye Tare and Kin Charles General, issued a 21 days ultimatum to the company to call for a round table meeting.

The statement reads: “We the undersigned graduate representatives of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje ethnic Nationalities under the auspices of 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 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 its 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 marginalisation is not addressed within a short possible time.

“Let it be on record that we have written letters and Chevron Nigeria Limited in their usual way have ignored the letters. Our demands are Chevron Nigeria Limited should stop all secret employment.

Give us 70% of all employments. Conversation of all host community contract staff which includes VTP 5 and VTP 6 to regular staff with full benefits.

“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, procurement, etc.

“Reinstatement of 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 business service 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). As stated in our letters and publications, we do not want to be employed just with slots, we will pass through the process, and however 70 per cent of the entire job slot should be reserved for Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje.

“Conclusively, we are by this issuing 21 days ultimatum to call for a round table meeting to discuss these demands or face the wrath of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje graduates worldwide.”