National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG, has berated Chevron and other oil majors operating across Itsekiri communities of deliberately neglecting Itsekiri sons and daughters in employment matters.
Speaking in Warri, Delta state, President of the body, Comrade Ben Eburajolo said Itsekiri communities were the highest producers of oil and gas in the state, adding that despite the record the people were the most neglected in employment matters by the oil majors.
He said the ugly situation prompted a protest by Itsekiri communities at Dibi, Olero and Abiteye oil fields in Warri south West and Warri north local government areas , adding that the body was firmly in support of the actions of the protesters.
It would be recalled that the protesters also alleged neglect of their communities on issues of development by the companies, calling on the firms to build hospitals, light up the communities among others.
President of the National Association of Itsekiri graduates, Mr Eburajolo further said the body would not hesitate to mobilize to shut down oil operations in all the oil fields, including the ones operated by Chevron in Itsekiri communities.
“ We will continue to cry against marginalization of our sons and daughters in employment issues by oil companies operating in our communities ,including Chevron Nigeria Limited “
He said most Itsekiri youths that had undergone Chevron’s Vocational Training Program,VTP and Operations Training Program, OTP had not been employed several years after they concluded the trainings.
“Most of our brothers and sisters in VTP5/OTP2, and VTP6 program were unjustly denied their permanent employment by the Management of Chevron, despite completion of their program over 9 years ago and Chevron’s inability to issue them their OPITO Certificate buttresses Chevron’s public display of gross marginalization.”
