A’Ibom lawmaker tackles ExxonMobil for demanding DPR certificate before employment

The member representing Eket/Onna/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency Hon Patrick Ifon has accused the management of ExxonMobil servicing companies of denying the host communities employment on the pretext that they don’t have Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Certificate.

The House of Representative member frowned at the use of DPR certificate to frustrate job seekers from the host communities by oil servicing companies.

According to a statement from his office, the lawmaker made the remarks when top management staff of the company, led by its Vice Chairman, Mr. Udom Inoyo paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Abuja.

“It is very painful for a man who is searching for a job, to be asked for a DPR Certificate obtained for an outrageous fee of N300,000.

“The people now believe that ExxonMobil does not want people from the communities to work in oil servicing companies”, Ifon said.

He called on the management of ExxonMobil to work out modalities towards a working agreement and healthy communication between the host communities and the oil company.

He bemoaned the poor communication links as major factor that has impede the cordial relations enjoyed over the years between the communities and the international oil company.

“Your company is not communicating well with the host communities”

“There is a need to sit together with the host communities and come out with a working agreement and ways of consistent communication like we used to have back then”

“I believe having this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will curb the incessant road/facility blockade by the communities” he said.

Earlier, Mr. Udom Inoyo, Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil had congratulated Hon. Ifon on his electoral victory and inauguration as member of the 9th National Assembly.

According to him, “having known the lawmaker so well as someone who understands the dynamics of the oil sector, the company is optimistic of a robust working relationship with him.”

He lamented that the company remits 3 percent annual revenue into the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Fund, stating that “the people have not bothered to ask NDDC what they have used this money for.”

Speaking on the issue of MOU, he emphasized that the company has tried on several occasions to have a written agreement with the host communities, but marred by the intemperate demands of the communities.

On the issue of DPR certificate, he displayed displeasure over the DPR huge demands on would-be employees of servicing companies, who are mandated to obtain the certificate for a fee of N300,000 or stand the risk of losing the job.

“I am shocked to hear that DPR make this demands on would-be employees who are already burdened with the task of finding job opportunities.”

Inoyo challenged the grounds of this demands by DPR, and  directed Mrs. Eme Udom, who is the GM, Venture/National Content Upstream Nigeria, to make findings in this regards and report accordingly,

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