Lagos — Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has said that it has not asked any of its Labour contractors to sack workers from its employment.

The company's General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Deji Haastrup, who disclosed this in Lagos, said the clarification has become necessary in view of reports by some media suggesting that a number of workers have been sacked.

He explained that "six existing labour contracts will be expiring on December 31, 2012 and new contracts will commence immediately after. The transition will not lead to redundancy."

According to him, the tender process has gone through all the appropriate phases and NAPIMS has approved and directed the award of contracts to the successful bidders, commencing on January 1, 2013.

The CNL Director, Human Resources and Medical, Mrs. Ihuoma Onyearugha, also confirmed that "all workers will have the opportunity to work for the new contract companies, unless they choose to retire with accrued benefits."

She said her company is engaging all stakeholders, including the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NNPC and the Ministry of Labor to find a lasting solution to the on-going industrial action.