Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL (NNPC/CNL Joint Venture) has concluded plans to sack 25 per cent of its workers.
The sack rumours have been making the rounds since end of May following the crash in price of crude oil caused by COVID-19 Pandemic and the attendant “work from home” policy to guard against spread of coronavirus. This policy exposed the efficiency of technology and the need to work with less personnel. However, the American oil giant confirmed the sack yesterday.
In a press statement by the company’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, at least 25 per cent of the entire workforce will go and the downsizing exercise will affect all cadres of the workforce.
Brikinn in what the company termed “Review of workforce in accordance with business exigencies,” said CNL together with its affiliates, confirms that it is reviewing its manpower requirements in the light of the changing business environment, while continuing to evaluate opportunities to improve capital efficiency and reduce operating costs. In this process, the company will be streamlining its workforce and improving service delivery and overall performance at all levels.
He explained that the aim is to have a business that is competitive and have an appropriately sized organization with improved processes. This will increase efficiency and effectiveness, retain value, reduce cost, and generate more revenue for the Federal Government of Nigeria. According to him, the new organizational structures will, unfortunately, require approximately 25 percent reduction in the work force across the various levels of our organization.
“It is important to note that all our employees will retain their employment until the reorganization process is completed,” he noted.
CNL supports the Federal Government in its objectives and efforts to build a prosperous Nigeria. In the area of employment generation, the company has several social investments which are helping to provide employment for thousands of Nigerians.
Brikinn clarified that there are no plans to migrate Nigerian jobs outside the country. He explained that “we have prospects for our company in Nigeria; however, we must make the necessary adjustments in light of the prevailing business climate; and we need everyone’s support to get through these tough times stronger, more efficient and more profitable, in order to sustain the business.”
He stated further that CNL is in alignment with both its Joint Venture partners, the NNPC, and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on this process; and “we are actively engaging our workforce to ensure they understand why this is being done. We will continue to consistently engage all relevant stakeholders, including the leadership of the employee unions as we continue this process of business optimization.”
“At CNL, the welfare and safety of our workforce is one of our highest priorities. Making changes to the organization is never easy for anyone that will be impacted, but it is necessary to improve our ability to remain competitive in Nigeria. Reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of our operations is critical to generating more revenues for the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.
