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Tag: Chevron

  • Chevron’s pension fallout: Retirees’ struggle for justice

    Chevron’s pension fallout: Retirees’ struggle for justice

    Retirees of Chevron Nigeria under the umbrella of Pensioners of Chevron of Nigeria, PenCoN, have charged the multinational company to respect the laws regulating pension in Nigeria by involving them in the administration of their pension fund.

    Furthermore, they have called for an instant halt to all CNCPFA outsourcing activities by Chevron until fund owners are consulted and agreement is reached.

    At a press conference in Lagos, the executives and members of the association decried Chevron’s continued refusal to recognise their over 1000- member association in the management of their pension fund, adding the action of the company constitutes a deliberate disregard of their rights of association and choice to determine how their pension fund is administered.

    Omare Jonathan, President of PenCoN in his address, said for almost three decades, Chevron forced- fitted its retirees into a union, Chevron Retiree Association of Nigeria, CRAN, registered as a limited liability company and not as a trade union or pressure group and had since been determining how their pension fund is managed without their input.

    “Having tried unsuccessfully to convince our former employer to respect our rights, Nigerian laws and Chevron tenets, principles and values they preach,  it has become incumbent on us to cry out to let the world know of our fate over the past two decades in the hands of this company we served with our youth.

    When in 2007 the Pension Reform Act came into being, along the line of this commitment, rather than allow us go for contributory pension scheme where our money could generate income for us, they deployed subtle fear mongering of the safety of our funds to convince us to remain with defined benefits where our money remained with them for reinvestment into their business.

    This arrangement was alright because PENGASSAN negotiated a 60 per cent annual cushion package for retirees. But they unilaterally yanked off this cushion that ameliorated the impact of rapidly crashing Naira. It became so bad that persons who left service when Naira was N90 to a dollar kept receiving the same thing even when naira crashed to N1000.

    Read Also: Deadline to Chevron for PIA implementation ends tomorrow   

    In all of these, the Chevron Retiree Association of Nigeria (CRAN) which they force-fitted all Chevron retirees was silent while retirees were dying in droves in penury. This quickly raised our suspicion.

    To strengthen retiree representation, many retirees no longer comfortable with the fraudulent conspiracy decided to form another association. They wrote Chevron withdrawing from CRAN and directed that their dues be deducted at source and paid to their new association – PenCoN

    Lastly, having heard of the birth of a legally qualified and vibrant association, they quickly tracked their decision to outsource our in-house defined benefit pension they convinced us to remain in 16 years ago and clandestinely handed us over to external pension managers they once condemned.

    This way, they  successfully reaped the full benefits of using our funds for their business without any reward to us and are now prepared to dump us with a third party PFA we have no agreement with or owe us anything now they are planning to sell off their holdings and leave Nigeria”, he narrated.

    Jonathan demanded that Chevron withdraws its steps, give proper recognition and audience to PenCoN, immediately stop everything concerning CNCPFA outsourcing until funds owners are engaged and alignment reached.

    He said: “Chevron as a matter of urgency and importance must comply with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chevron’s Operational tenets # 7 & 10 by engaging the Pensioners of Chevron Nigeria Limited immediately to recognise PenCoN immediately and start implementation of dues deduction at source immediately”, he stated.

    Legal representative of the association, Evans Ufeli said the actions of Chevron Nigeria not recognising PenCoN and mismanagement of its retirees fund clearly violate the Pension Act and the Nigerian constitution.

    According to Ufeli, “PenCoN has sent letters of introduction and invitation for meetings. Letters were received but not even an acknowledgment came from the leadership of CNCPFA. This non-recognition is an infraction of the law of the Land.

    CNL  is mandated by Chevron Corporation, to always comply with all applicable local (Country) laws and regulations where she operates. The Nigerian Constitution is unambiguous on the subject of freedom of association. It is not the place of CNL to choose which association retirees are to belong to. CNL does not have any right to force-fit them into CRAN. PenCoN, is their choice and CNCPFA and CNL must respect their right to freedom of Association”.

    The legal representative warned if the demands of PenCoN is not complied with by Chevron, his clients would proceed to court to seek redress.

  • Deadline to Chevron for PIA implementation ends tomorrow   

    Deadline to Chevron for PIA implementation ends tomorrow   

    Indigenes of Ugborodo community in Warri Southwest Local Government of Delta State are anxiously awaiting Chevron Nigeria Ltd’s (CNL’s) implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), for Itsekiri host communities, as directed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

    A two-week ultimatum was reportedly handed down to Chevron by the NUPRC at a tripartite meeting of stakeholders in Abuja on November 28, to stem a week-long protest by the host communities comprising Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun.

    The deadline for CNL’s compliance with the directive will end tomorrow, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    This was revealed at the weekend during the Ugborodo annual congress.                  

    A community leader, Alex Eyengho, who read NUPRC’s report at the congress, said Chevron was asked to convene a meeting to be midwifed by the commission’s Warri Office, with a view to examining how the delineation of host communities was conducted, to ensure it was in accordance with the provisions of the PIA.               

    Read Also: No missing protester in Ugborodo/Chevron faceoff, says CNL

    He said NUPRC, in its letter signed by Mr. Benjamin Ogunubi, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the commission, directed that membership of the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) be amicably thrown up by the host communities, advising all parties to mutually work out modalities to select the nine members in each HCDT.                         

    The NUPRC report, as read by Eyengho, said: “The settlor and the host communities should re-examine the name (s) and unanimously resolve on the name (s) for the HCDT.                                       “That Chevron Nigeria Ltd transmit to the commission, a report on the implementation of the rulings within two weeks”, adding: “The report should be fully signed and certified by representatives of both parties (CNL and the Host Communities).”

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and Itsekiri rights’ activist, Chief Ayirimi Emami; former Executive Director of Projects in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Tuoyo Omatsuli, an engineer; Prince Perry Atete and Mrs. Oritsematosan Nuko, woman leader of Ugborodo, were among prominent Ugborodo indigenes that spoke at the congress.                          

    They reassured Ugborodo indigenes worldwide that Ikpere Host Community Development Trust would become a reality soon.

  • No missing protester in Ugborodo/Chevron faceoff, says CNL

    No missing protester in Ugborodo/Chevron faceoff, says CNL

    Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has denied reports that three among scores of protesters at its Terminal and Escravos Gas—To-Liquid (EGTL) jetties in Warri Southwest council area of Delta state, are missing.

    This was contained in a statement by CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn.

    CNL, operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and CNL – (NNPCL/CNL JV), reiterated its commitment to partnership with various stakeholders, including the communities neighbouring its areas of operations in the Niger Delta, for sustainable development.

    Read Also: No protester missing in Chevron/Ugborodo face-off, says CNL

    The company disclosed that it is engaging with relevant stakeholders including the protesters, community leaders, traditional rulers, the Board of Trustees (BOTs) of the Warri Onshore Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Delta State Government, and other critical stakeholders to ensure the peaceful vacation of the protesters who have blocked access to the Terminal and EGTL jetties since Tuesday, November 21, 2023. 

    Maintaining that CNL operates in strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations, Brikinn said: “As a law-abiding corporate citizen, CNL is committed and continues to make progress in the operationalization of the respective HCDTs in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

    “We continue to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders, including community leaders and traditional rulers towards the operationalization of the HCDTs.”

    Describing as “untrue”, reports about some protesters allegedly missing, he claimed that “verifiable reports on ground indicate that none of the protesters is missing.”

  • Chevron reaffirms commitment to lawful operations

    Chevron reaffirms commitment to lawful operations

    Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has reaffirmed its commitment to operating in strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations of the country.

    CNL, operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and CNL (NNPCL/CNL JV), in a statement by its General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn, was reacting to the ongoing protest at its Escravos facility by indigenes of Ugborodo community in Warri Southwest Local Government of Delta State.

    The statement which confirmed the protest, said: “At about 7am on November 21, 2023, boats conveying some protesters started patrolling along CNL’s Terminal and Escravos Gas-To-Liquids (EGTL) jetties and subsequently blocked access to Escravos Terminal (including EGTL jetty) in CNL’s Western area of operations.

    “The protesters are demanding the renaming of the Warri Kingdom Onshore Host Community Development Trust (‘HCDT’) and involvement in the nomination of additional persons for inclusion on the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the HCDT.

    “In addition, they are requesting for mobilisation of their community workers for the EGTL Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) activities.

    “CNL is committed to the operationalisation of the HCDT in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA).

    Read Also: Delta community threatens legal action over exclusion from Chevron’s trust fund

    “CNL continues to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders, including Ugborodo community leaders and traditional rulers towards the operationalisation of the HCDT. “

    “Also, CNL is committed to ensuring the participation of community workers for the EGTL TAM in line with the manpower mobilisation plan.”

    Brikinn said CNL continued to engage with relevant stakeholders, including the protesters, community leaders, traditional rulers, the BoT of the HCDT, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Delta State Government and other critical stakeholders to ensure the peaceful vacation of the protesters from CNL’s Terminal and EGTL jetties.

    “CNL places the highest priority on and remains committed to the safety of people, the environment and its assets,” Brikinn noted.

    However, the statement was silent on the reported missing three indigenes in the alleged attack early yesterday.

  • Itsekiri group threatens fresh shutdown of Chevron facilities

    Itsekiri group threatens fresh shutdown of Chevron facilities

    A group, the Niger Delta Itsekiri Oil Producing Communities (NDIOPC), has threatened fresh shutdown of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) facilities in Olero, Dibi and Abiteye fields in Delta State, over perceived failed promises by the company and Delta State Government.

    The threat by NDIOPC was contained in separate letters addressed to the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as well as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Chevron.

     Indigenes of the Itsekiri host communities are vexed with the seeming inaction of the Delta State Government and the management of Chevron, regarding the alleged refusal to convert the VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6 graduates, to workers of the oil firm 15 years after their employment, despite interventions by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

    The VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6 graduates reportedly went through the recruitment process completing their one-year Ogere training programme.

     The NDIOPC, in the separate letters written by Raymond Aderejor, Eyeolusan Arubi, Bawo Remere, Austin Dorsu, Alfred Jemine, Kingsley Omamogho, Taiye Alakowe, Freeborn Ododo, Oritseje Oporukun and Tony Oweghoro, recalled how some notable personalities like Weyinmi Okorodudu, Mr. Momodu Releand and former Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, intervened at various stages of their protest and made several promises, “that were not done till this moment, more especially with regards to light and water for our communities.”

    Read Also: TETFund moves to eradicate hitches in project execution

    Alleging that the only means CNL recruits people from the host communities, “has been halted by the company for several years now”, NDIOPC queried the rationale behind classifying the, “South Africa set, VTP1, VTP2/OTP1, VTP3, and VTP4 as employees of Chevron after their training, yet their counterparts in VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6, are pegged as perpetual Trainees/Support Production Technicians for more than a decade now, as against the principle of the programme.

     “To soften the minds of our people in the various Itsekiri communities, promises were made by the government of Delta State, in line with the demands of the protesting communities, which include water projects, electrification and health facilities of the communities and job opportunities for indigenes of the various communities.

    “The government of Delta State as an intervening mediator, mutually took responsibility to fix the light and water project for the respective communities while your company (Chevron Nigeria Limited) promised to provide job opportunity and strengthen contractual relationships with indigenous contractors, such as awarding to them supply and other necessaries.

    “In respecting the mutual agreement and the promises by the Delta State Government, the protesters vacated your facilities occupied by them to give room for those promises to be executed, but surprisingly more than one year after those mutual agreement and promises, none of them were carried out as the situation of the communities under your (Chevron) area of operation within the Itsekiri communities, is worse compared to before.

    “The water and light project promised and undertaken by the government of Delta State, was not done or attempted in communities such as Uso, Saghara, Eghoro, Ureju, Deghele and Bateren. It is material to our complaint to state further that those communities are still suffering from lack of these facilities, while your company’s (Chevron’s) operation within the respective fields continue to destroy the ecology of our communities.

     “The water project that was commenced in Obaghoro and Ebrohimi communities are not consumable as the water is bad and life threatening, because the contractor that was contracted to do the job, did a very bad job, while the government authority is careless about the health of the indigenes of both communities.

    “Other communities such as Tebu, Gbokoda, Ajamintan, Udo and Jakpa, did not have the water project attempted or executed in their area; it’s either it’s half done or not attempted at all as the water is not flowing in any of these communities.

    “Indigenes of the communities that were employed by your company (Chevron) for over 16 years now, are still contract staff, while people from other geo-political areas of the country, are being made permanent staff of your company every now and then.”

  • Stakeholders praise Chevron, Agbami on fight against TB

    Stakeholders in the health sector have commended the efforts of Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited (a Chevron Company) and its parties in the Agbami field – Famfa Oil Limited, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Equinor, and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited, in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in the country.

    The stakeholders made the commendation at the National Tuberculosis Conference that held at Abuja. The theme of the conference, organised by Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, was “Building Stronger Partnerships to End TB in Nigeria.”

    In his presentation on the “Role of the Private Sector in Health Systems Improvement: Agbami Parties Experience on TB”, Medical Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Dr. Paul Areyenka, who represented the Agbami parties stated that in its over 50 years of operations in Nigeria, Chevron and the parties have been supporting the government in strengthening health systems targeting the triad of HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis (TB).

    He noted that the Agbami parties have deployed a social health investment programme targeting TB disease, which covers building of infrastructures such as chest clinics, conducting awareness and advocacy campaigns and assisting in protecting TB health care workers in order to contribute towards the National Tuberculosis programme goals.

    “Through the construction and equipping of 28 Chest Clinics across the country, we have contributed to strengthening health systems and supporting the treatment and care of tuberculosis patients in Nigeria. The chest clinics were built in close collaboration with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTLCP) of the Ministry of Health, in existing  government hospitals and handed over to the States in which they are located for management, and the facilities are fully-equipped with standard X- Ray machines, male and female wards, treatment rooms, laboratories and Gene Xpert Machines,” he stated.

    He noted that since 2008, the Agbami parties have spent a total sum of N2.7billion about $16.6million to build and equip the chest clinics which have been donated to government hospitals across the country, adding that between 2015 and 2017, over 48,000 presumptive TB cases have been registered in these facilities, with over 11,000 cases detected. “The chest clinics have contributed to about 3% of the national presumptive TB cases registered and three per cent to the National aggregate of TB cases, while the awareness campaigns have reached over 100,000 community folks and tested over 8000 presumptive cases with about 2000 cases detected,” he said.

    A critical element in the Nigerian national response strategy on TB, he said, is finding missing TB cases. He said the Agbami parties in close collaboration with the NTLCP and specialized Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) have conducted TB awareness and advocacy campaigns in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Oyo, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Lagos.

    Areyenka also mentioned that in recognition of the increased risk of TB infection faced by health care workers (HCWs), in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Agbami parties sponsored health worker training and the publication and distribution of the National Biosafety Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and the National Standard Operating Procedures for Tuberculosis Laboratory Diagnosis. He noted that the Agbami parties remain unwavering in their commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of people in their areas of operation, especially the most vulnerable groups.

  • Only Ojumole oil well burnt in Ondo community, says Chevron

    CHEVRON Nigeria Limited (CNL) has clarified that only one oil well(Ojumole) was affected by the Thursday fire in Ikorigho community of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The cause of the fire incident had not been ascertained.

    But, residents of the affected communities confirmed that the fire was still raging.

    The oil company, in a statement through its General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn, said efforts have been made to put out the fire completely.

    The statement reads: “The operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the CNL confirms that at about 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2019, a fire was observed at the Ojumole Well No.1, an idle and plugged well with no flow line connected to it. Ojumole field is in NNPC/CNL JV’s Western Niger Delta area of operations.

    Read also: Chevron facility fire: Delta community vows not to cede its land to Ondo

    “The CNL conducted an overflight to evaluate the fire and also mobilised emergency responders to assess the site, contain the fire and boom the area. In addition, CNL notified community stakeholders about the incident and also reported it to the Department of Petroleum Resources, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and other regulatory and security authorities.

    “A joint investigation visit to the site of the incident on Saturday, April 20, 2019, by a team made up of regulatory agencies, community stakeholders and CNL, determined that the fire incident was caused by third-party interference. There was no impact to any of the neighbouring communities.”

    Brikinn, in the statement, insisted that the CNL had been working with contractors to safely put out the fire as quickly as possible.

    He said the CNL was committed to the safety of the communities and the environment in its areas of operation.

    “We continue to conduct our operations safely, reliably and efficiently, with the utmost consideration for protection of people and the environment,” the statement stressed.

    The oil company insisted that there was no life lost in the inferno, even though the community said they lost four persons to the inferno.

  • Oil well fire: Ondo Assembly summons Chevron

    The Ondo State House of Assembly has summoned the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) to appear before it by Tuesday next week or face litigation.

    Speaker of the House, Bamidele Oleyelogun, gave the ultimatum while addressing stakeholders at an ad hoc committee level over the fire incident at Ugbo-Ilaje, Ojumole Oil well.

    The decision followed the attitude of two representatives from the oil company, who refused to address the committee because of the presence of journalists.

    Chevron representatives, who claimed they have no right to address the committee in the presence of the media, appealed that journalists be excused, a request that was turned down by the lawmakers.

    The State Commissioner for Environment, Funso ¸san had earlier told the committee that the oil company erred by neglecting the host communities, and the company’s lack of regard for the state government.

    The commissioner noted, that, the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, had also fixed a meeting with the management of CNL which was called off till next week due to non availability of principal officers of the company as claimed by their representatives.

    Addressing the committee, the spokesperson of the representatives of the Olugbo in Council, Dr Akin Akinruntan, accused Chevron of short changing the host communities in Ondo State compared to what transpires in other oil producing states.

    Akinruntan appealed to the committee to intervene on the matter and ensure that affected communities were adequately compensated for the damages done on the water, air and environment.

    The Chairman of the House ad hoc committee, Abayomi Akinruntan, promised that the lawmakers would ensure that justice is done in the interest of the affected communities and Ondo State in general.

    A source from Ojumole oil producing community revealed that the fire was still burning from the oil field for the past 21 days running.

    In another development, the state governor has constituted an 11-member committee to work out the modality for the implementation of the autonomy for the legislative and judicial arms of the state government.

    The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Emmanuel Igbasan and comprise representatives of the Speaker, House of Assembly; the Chief Judge of the State; the President of the Customary Court of Appeal and Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Finances and Appropriation. Others include the Commissioner for Finance, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Chief Registrar of the High Court, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, among others.

    The committee’s terms of reference include the following: to assess implementation status of the financial autonomy for the state’s legislative and judicial arms of government; to determine the framework for the implementation of the autonomy at the state level; to determine the commencement time for the implementation; and to advise on any other matter(s) incidental to or connected with the implementation process of the Law in Ondo State.

    The committee is given four weeks to submit its report.

  • Chevron confirms oil well explosion in Ondo

    Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation joint venture (NNPC/CNL JV), yesterday said the April 18 oil well explosion at the NNPC/CNL JV’s Ojumole Well 1 happened in Ondo State and not Delta State, as reported in the media.

    A statement by the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (G.M, PGPA), Esimaje Brikinn, said Chevron does not have any well called Ikpalakpala-bou among its assets in the Niger Delta.

    According to him, the oil well name has remained the same over the years.

    According to Brikinn, a joint investigation visit to the site on April 20, by a team of regulatory agencies, community stakeholders (including representatives of Tsekelewu community) and CNL, determined that the fire was caused by unidentified third-parties who interfered with the facility.

    The statement reads: “We have been in engagement with all relevant stakeholders, including communities, government of Ondo State and regulatory agencies on the fire. We are currently working with contractors to safely put out the fire as quickly as possible.”

    Brikinn stressed that CNL prioritises the health and safety of its workforce, the community around its operations and protection of its assets and the environment.

    He added that there were independent, accredited environmental consultants monitoring the environment, and Chevron’s post incident activities will be consistent with relevant environmental laws, regulations and guidelines.

    “We continue to conduct our operations safely, reliably and efficiently, with utmost consideration for protection of the people and the environment. CNL takes any threat to its operations seriously, and will inform the relevant law enforcement agencies of such threats.

    “We encourage stakeholders to embrace dialogue and respect for the rule of law, in resolving any perceived grievances,” Brikinn added.

  • Chevron confirms oil well explosion in Ondo

    Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation joint venture (NNPC/CNL JV) on Sunday said that the recent oil well explosions which occurred on April 18, 2019, took place at the NNPC/CNL JV’s Ojumole Well 1 in Ondo State and not Delta state, as reported by some media houses.

    According to a statement by Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (G.M, PGPA), he said contrary to reports, Chevron does not have any well called Ikpalakpala-bou in its assets in the Western Niger Delta.

    He said the current fire incident occurred at the NNPC/CNL JV’s Ojumole Well 1 in Ondo State, noting that this has always been the name of the well and the name has not changed.

    Brikinn said a Joint Investigation Visit to the site of the incident on Saturday, April 20, 2019, by a team made up of regulatory agencies, community stakeholders (including representatives of Tsekelewu community) and CNL, determined that the fire was caused by unidentified third-parties who interfered with the facility.

    He said “We have been in engagement with all relevant stakeholders, including communities, government of Ondo State and regulatory agencies on the fire incident.

    “We are currently working with contractors to safely put out the fire as quickly as possible.”

    Brikinn stressed that CNL places the highest priority on the health and safety of its workforce, the community around its operations and protection of its assets and the environment.

    He added that there were independent, accredited environmental consultants monitoring the environment noting that Chevron’s post-incident activities will be consistent with the relevant environmental laws, regulations and guidelines.

    “We continue to conduct our operations safely, reliably and efficiently, with utmost consideration for protection of people and the environment.

    “CNL takes any threat to its operations seriously and will inform the relevant law enforcement agencies of such threats.

    “We encourage all stakeholders to embrace dialogue and respect for the rule of law, in resolving any perceived grievances,” Brikinn said.