Chevron Recruitment Dispute: Niger Delta Group Targets Oil Pipelines
A group identified as the Niger Delta Liberation Movement (NDLM) has claimed responsibility for the destruction of three oil pipelines, allegedly in response to Chevron Nigeria Limited’s (CNL) failure to allocate recruitment quotas for host communities and adhere to Nigeria’s Local Content Law.
In a statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Tagbanaraewumi, it was revealed that the pipelines, located along the Olero-Dibi-Abiteye Fields and Flow Stations, were sabotaged around 2:00 am on Friday.
The statement declared: “These pipeline explosions mark the beginning of our operation, codenamed CHEVRON DRAGNET. This is only the first phase, and we will continue targeting Chevron’s facilities in the Warri region until the company addresses our concerns. This is just the start of our campaign.”
The NDLM also referenced multiple appeals from Itsekiri communities urging Chevron to meet its local recruitment quotas, which have reportedly gone unanswered. In addition, the group reiterated previous demands for the conversion of VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6, which they claim have not been addressed by the company.
The statement further emphasized that the NDLM fully supports the ongoing calls from host communities and organizations for Chevron to comply with the Local Content Act, and it reiterated that “Operation CHEVRON DRAGNET” will continue until the company meets its obligations to the local populace, especially regarding recruitment and employment opportunities managed by the consulting firm Dragnet.
