The Egbema and Gbaramatu Graduates (KOMBOT) Employment Front in the Warri North- and Warri South-West local government areas of Delta State, has petitioned Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) over what it termed as "Violation of the Local Content Act" and the "Marginalization of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality" especially with the alleged secret employment of over 300 persons of recent by Chevron.

According to the group in a recent statement issued and signed by its president Comr. Olaye Tare, the petition arises on "Ijaw graduate trainees of the Chevron Nigeria’s Vocational Training Programme, VTP5, & VTP6, who Chevron have refused / neglected to convert to regular staffs; the denial of competent Ijaw indigenous owned companies the opportunity to be involved in the tender and bid process of critical job contract in Chevron’s operations in our land," and the unjust termination of "Comrade (Engr.) Timmy Okeoghene Okirika who was terminated for no just cause."

Irked by Chevron's negative actions, KOMBOT therefore issued six demands backed up with a 14 days ultimatum for the company to convene a meeting with the group to resolve all of the issues raised.

"In light of the above, we therefore demand the following: The declaration of the just concluded secret recruitment of over 300 persons to fill vacancies in CNL operations nationwide without due process null and void and the immediate demobilization of those to resume in CNL facilities and operations in Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms that are not from (Ijaw, Itsekiri and Ilage) host ethnic nationality and replacement with graduates from Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms.

"That 50% of the vacancy slots in any future recruitment exercise be reserved for Graduates of Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms, considering all the injustices done to us for the past 30 years.

"That a special cut off mark be agreed upon for our Youths in the forthcoming recruitment process, considering how we have been denied our employment opportunities in time past by Chevron Nigeria Limited despite our youths performing excellently in past recruitment process.

"That the VTO5 and VTP6 trainees be given first consideration in employment in their areas of specialization and converted to Chevron regular staffs before any other persons from Nigeria, considering the long delay, pain, trauma, and humiliation meted out to them over the past ten years.

"That Ijaw owned businesses be given first consideration or right of first refusal in the award of drilling contracts, well head maintenance, production, procurement, etc., considering the fact that our indigenous contractors have never been considered for contracts in Drilling and other specialize contracts.

"The reinstatement of Comrade (Engr.) Timmy Okeoghene Okirika in accordance with the resolutions and orders of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (NASS/CAN/105/VOL.18/240) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and productivity (ML.HB/7884/T/324).

Speaking further KOMBOT stated that "Chevron Nigeria Limited should follow due process in its recruitment process in accordance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, because failure to do so will bring us in a total show with Chevron Nigeria Limited.

"Conclusively, we are by this letter issuing Chevron Nigeria Limited a fourteen (14) day ultimatum to call for a round table meeting to discuss these demands or face the occupation of your offices and production facilities by KEF and the good people of the host Communities of Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms until our demands are met."

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