By EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, Warri

Itsekiri youths, under the aegis of National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG), Worldwide, have given Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) 28 days ultimatum to commence the regularisation of the appointments of Itsekiri graduates of VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6 or be ready for disruption of its operations across Itsekiri land.

Tribune Onlinereports that VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6 refer to Vocational Training Programmes and, Operation Training Programme, the artisanal graduates were trained by Chevron at Ogere in Ogun State and were promised full employment.

The aggrieved youths, led by President, Ben Eyitemi Eburajolo and General Secretary, Esiategiwa Mino, at a press conference, on Monday in Warri, Delta State, expressed displeasure at the inconsistent attitude of Chevron at fulfilling its promise of confirming the hitherto casual staff.

The group wondered why the oil giant, in spite of the intervention of late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, in 2017 and CNL’s promise to do the needful in 2018, has refused to do the needful.

The youths also said that the low crude oil price Chevron claimed as the reason for not reclassifying the casual staff has since stabilised above $70 per barrel, as against the VTP4 reclassified with a price below $40 per barrel.

The youths took exception to the treatment being meted on the graduates despite proofs of their stewardship amid many tasks assigned to them and yet paid meagre wages compared to Chevron staff.

“They are the least ranked and underpaid among CNL labour contract personnel.

“During the recent PENGASSAN strikes, they exceeded customer’s limits to ensure that most of the operations were not interrupted.

“They have been found competent in their various locations and none has violated any of the company’s laid down rules, regulations or safety procedures,” the youths enthused.

The Itsekiri youths, therefore, demanded that the graduates’ “reclassification should be backdated to January 2016 and January 2017 for VTPS/OTP2 and VTP6.

“Resume Operation and Maintenance (O&M) training with employment in view immediately as enshrined in our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with you.

“Community development in oil-producing areas should resume immediately.

“All Itsekiri host communities to CNL should be given light and portable drinking water.”

Failure to meet the above in 28 days by Chevron, the group threatened to shut down all operational formations across the length and breadth of Itsekiri land.

The management of Chevron, after being contacted by our reporter, is yet to react to the threat and requests by the Itsekiri youths as of the time of filing the report. (Nigerian Tribune)

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