Delta: Ijaw graduates table five-point demands before Chevron, threaten three-prong action

Graduates of Ijaw extraction in Warri North, Warri South-West and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State, have tabled five-point demands before Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, threatening to embark on mass protests, community shutdowns and legal action, if their demands are not met within seven days.

The graduates, who are from Egbema, Gbaramatu and Ogulagha Kingdoms in Delta State, under the aegis of KOMBOT, handed down the demands during a press briefing held in Warri, Delta State, Tuesday September 9, saying the ultimatum takes effect from Wednesday September 10.

While addressing newsmen, the President of KOMBOT, Comr Tare Olaye, urged Chevron to give them a specific number of graduates of Ijaw extraction across IJAW Host Communities Development Trust, HCDT, they intend to employ, without further delay.

In the press statement, which was co-signed by Comr. Tare Olaye and the General-Secretary of KOMBOT, Comr. Charles Kin, the Ijaw graduates, also demanded: “An end to discriminatory recruitment practices that exclude IJAW HCDT Graduates.

“Full compliance with the Local Content Act and recognition of HCDT rights.

“Urgent intervention from the Federal Government and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to hold Chevron accountable and

“Full implementation of the recommendation of our Royal Father's across the aforementioned Kingdoms.”

They expressed “outraged over the continued marginalization of our graduates by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL)”, declaring: “This grave injustice cannot continue. While hundreds of qualified Ijaw graduates—with degrees in engineering, geology, environmental sciences, and other vital disciplines—remain unemployed, Chevron consistently fills its workforce with outsiders.

“This is a blatant violation of Nigeria’s Local Content Act and a betrayal of agreements reached with host communities.”

As at the time of this report, Fresh Angle International, was yet to get response from Chevron Nigeria Limited.

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