Posted by By Femi Makinde, Port Harcourt on
The people of Egi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State have accused Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited of....
The people of Egi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State have accused Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited of discriminating against their sons and daughters working in the company.
The Chairman of Egi Oil and Gas Producing Families, Mr. Christian Ahiakwo, made the allegation while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said that the oil company in its recent re-organisation and promotion deliberately denied Egi sons and daughters their deserved promotions.
He added that the reorganisation was designed to exclude Rivers indigenes, especially those from Egi, from the key decision-making positions in the company.
Ahiakwo warned that the discrimination was 'a recipe for another long-drawn conflict with the EPNL."
He said that Egi indigenes were not treated fairly despite the key oil and gas production activities going on in their area.
Ahiakwo therefore called on the management of the company to review its decision to avoid friction that could lead to agitations against the company.
He said, 'We shall immediately proceed to sensitise our communities, the oil and gas producing families of Egiland, and other parts of Rivers State against the EPNL if the situation is not immediately redressed."
He said that the research carried out by the families showed that there were competent Rivers State indigenes qualified to be promoted but who were denied promotion.
He said, 'We appeal to the Rivers State Government to call the EPNL management to order immediately. EPNL should change this ugly practice of exclusion by promptly appointing Egi indigenes to top managerial positions in the company for a peaceful co-existence."
The Manager, Media and Corporate Affairs of the company, Mr. Fred Ohwahwa, when contacted over the telephone, told our correspondent that he had not heard of the allegation and could not make any official comment on it.