SPDC: Trouble Looms In Forcados Terminal As Group Calls For Reinstatement Of Workers

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By Binebai Princewill 

There seem to be a looming trouble in Delta Forcados Terminal in Oil rich Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, operated by International oil giants, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) over the alleged long overdue reinstatement of retrenched indigenous  workers from Ogulagha and Odimodi communities in Shell. The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide can report.

A group operating under the aegis of Ogulagha/Odimodi Academia Association (OOAAS) in a statement signed by its President, Comr. Oweizide Polobiri on Monday lamented the way and manner SPDC is treating her host communities. 

The statement had particularly called on the management of SPDC in Forcados Terminal to quickly recall the sacked workers from Ogulagha and Odimodi communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State since 2020 under the guise of Covid-19 before it degenerates to something else. 

Comr. Polobiri had particularly lauded the intervention of the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, His deputy, Barr. (Dcn) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro and Chief Emman Amgbaduba, Delta State Commissioner for oil and gas for their role so far. 

While hailing the trio, the group had called on the Governor to prevail on the management of SPDC to fulfil their own side of the bargain, stressing that the Covid-19 era and lockdown is almost over and things have become normal again, stressing that there is no reason or whatsoever for SPDC to continue to keep them at home without reinstating them. 

However, the group had stated that the sacking of the indigenous workers have brought untold hardship to the affected indigenes, stressing that life is becoming helish to them and their families. 

The statement reads below:

Ogulagha/Odimodi Academia Association (OOAAS) Cries Out, Pleading with the Delta State Government to Ask SPDC to Recall Back Her Sacked Workers During 2020 Covid Era.

The body Ogulagha/Odimodi Academia Association with the aim of fronting academic values in Ogulagha and Odimodi communities has added their voice to the voice of the sacked Ogulagha and Odimodi workers during the Covid Era. Lamenting over the long overdue recalling back of the SPDC Sacked workers since 2020.

As an Academic Body we totally condemn the attitude of SPDC in the way and manner they are handling this issue. We don’t believe in violent approach but we felt disgraced and totally embarrassed by the behaviour of the management of SPDC and as such we wholeheartedly go against SPDC act of dropping her workers and exposing them to the harsh economic situation of Nigeria thereby making their families to be in perpetual hunger and penury. 

We don’t want workers dropped rather we want a situation where graduates are employed to add value to the society and SPDC. Ogulagha and Odimodi indigenes are the least employed by SPDC compared to other commitments in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers State yet we have been calmly maintaining a work friendly environment because we believe in dialogue as educated minds.

The body ably led by her president Comr. Owei Pou accused SPDC of playing games with Ogulagha and Odimodi Communities, saying this game is not healthy as it might not  build a good relationship between SPDC and Host Communities. 

Comr. Oweizide Polobiri state the following. 

  1. SPDC should recall  all her Sacked workers from Ogulagha and Odimodi Communities. 
  2. The Covid 19 Era has passed and all businesses are open for proper transaction. 
  3. The price of Crude Oil has reasonably increased and the Oil business is booming. 
  4. The Ban and Lock Down modalities has been lifted. 
  5. Although Covid 19 rules are strictly obeyed nevertheless this has not stopped the production of Crude Oil at larger quantity. 
  6. SPDC should stop paying lip service drama and meet up with the humble demand of the Chiefs, Elders, Men, Women and  Youths of Ogulagha and Odimodi Communities. 

However, the leadership of Delta State Government Senator (Dr) Infeanyi Arthur Okowa and His Deputy Barrister Kingsley Otuaro has done very well in ensuring that there is absolute peace in Forcados Terminal and it’s environs. 

Also kudos to the Commissioner of Oil and Gas for initiating peace whenever there is tension.  May God bless these three (3) Gentlemen for their timely support and payment of the workers salary momentarily.

The association is strongly urging SPDC to recall back the Sacked workers as earlier promised in 2020 in order to avoid breakdown of law and order in SPDC facilities or locations.

All what we want is recall back Sacked workers. We are not talking about new employment. Other locations have called back their workers why is the one of Forcados Terminal different. 

We are tired. 

The needful should be done now.

Ogulagha/Odimodi Academia Association is Pleading with the Delta State Government, His Royal Majesty, Elder Capt (King ) Joseph Timiyan (JP), Agbonu, Torububou I. The Ebenananawei  of Ogulagha Kingdom, Chiefs and Elders of both Ogulagha and Odimodi Communities to urge SPDC to recall back all retrenched workers. 

This is what will put smile and happiness in the face of the Ogulagha and Odimodi People.

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