American oil giant, Chevron, Saturday evening confirmed the release of more than 1,000 of its workers held down by protesters from host communities for nearly a week at the camp of its multi-billion naira Escravos Gas-to-Liquid (EGTL) project in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

This development was contained in a statement signed by Chevron Nigeria Limited’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Deji Haastrup, and made available to in Warri yesterday evening.

The statement revealed that it took the intervention of troops of the Niger Delta security Joint Task Force (JTF) to secure the release of the mostly contract workers forcibly confined to the camp by the protesters for five days. “Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, confirms that more than 1000 junior contract workers locked down over the past five days in our Escravos Gas-To-Liquids (EGTL) Camp have been freed”, the Chevron authorities said.

“The workers had been held against their will by some protesting community workers employed by local community contractors. The Federal Government’s security apparatus, the Joint Task Force (JTF) successfully set the workers free on Saturday February 15, 2014. All the workers are safe and on their way home”

According to Haastrup, “We are happy that this has been finally brought to a peaceful conclusion.”

The company disclosed that “Many of the workers are now either back in Warri, Delta State or en-route to Warri to re-unite with their families.

“CNL has notified their employers of the successful rescue of their workers. The Delta State Government and community leaders have all been continuously briefed throughout the duration of the lock down.

“CNL reiterates its commitment to treating all its contractors fairly. We will continue to advocate respect for the Rule of Law and the use of constructive dialogue in the resolution of all issues. The safety of our employees and contractors remain our first priority in all our operations”, the statement further said.

•Text courtesy THISDAY. Photo shows Nigerian oil worker at work at a rig.