Community protests non-inclusion in Chevron training prog

Community protests exclusion from Chevron training

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt.

The people of Ugboegungun community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta have kicked against their exclusion from the Oil and Gas Vocational Training programme of Chevron Nigeria Limited.

Leaders of the community, in a protest letter addressed to Mr Deji Haastrup, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron, slammed the company’s attitude as “unacceptable and unethical.”

A copy of the letter signed by the John Ibokiti and Davies Omatsone, Chairman and Secretary respectively, lamented that the community, which is a host to the multibillion dollar Escravos Gas to Liquid plant of Chevron, was not deign a slot in the exercise.

“In the light of the above, we pray that you use your good office(s) to facilitate the seven (7) man list of our sons and daughters who are not only qualified but ready and able to be trained already sent to your Warri office for Oil and Gas/Vocational Training Programme six (VTP 6).

The aggrieved community leaders remarked that Chevron’s attitude could truncate the peace and good relationship it enjoys in the area.

They therefore appealed to the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron, Mr Deji Haastrup to wade and correct the perceived injustice.

“We hope you will correct this act of deprivation and omission of Ugboegungun Community indigenes on or before Thursday, 10th April, 2014 as the community is ready to employ all available means be it legal or otherwise to stop your operation, if this injustice is not corrected,” the cautioned.

Attempt to reach the CNL top shot during the weekend was abortive, but a source in the PGPA office told our reporter that the selection process was handled by the Itsekiri Regional Development Council, which interfaces with Chevron on behalf of Itsekiri host communities