By Emeka Okafor
Indigenous contractors of OML 30 in Delta State have called for the immediate sack of Mr. Claude Kanayo Esekody, Manager, Procurement and Contracts, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOLS), over alleged unethical and professional misconducts.
The aggrieved contractors accused Esekody of reportedly frustrating activities of local contractors especially those of host communities in OML 30.
In a letter addressed to the General Manager, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOLS), operators of OML 30, the contractors alleged that HEOLS’s Procurement Manager is attemtping to create fresh crisis that will disturb oil operational activities.
A copy of the letter made available to NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online was signed by Chief Matthew Agbefe for the aggrieved contractors.
The letter read, “We, the Indigenous Contractors from OML 30 Communities, wish to strongly express our displeasure over the unprofessional and unethical conduct of the Manager in charge of Procurement and Contracts, Mr Claude Kanayo Esekody.
“The disappointing manner in which Mr Claude Kanayo Esekody has carried out his job in the last few months calls for serious concern and investigation, as it has gradually brought down the reputation of the Company.
“Mr Esekody has been handling issues concerning the local contractors of the company with despicable arrogance and high handedness in a bid to frustrate us.
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“He has consistently denied registered Indigenous contractors of the company’s contracts due to them and awarding same to his cronies who are not from oil producing communities.
“Mr Claude Kanayo Esekody has shamelessly and illegally been demanding for gratification from Contractors whose jobs have been certified for payment before approving same for payment.
“He has unceasingly used derogatory and inciteful words on indigenous contractors which is capable of turning them against your esteemed Company.
“Furthermore, in spite of being well beyond the mandatory retirement age of sixty (60) years, we have continued to wonder why he is still working in the Company. This worrisome reality perhaps gives credence to the saying that he has built an empire for himself in Heritage Oil. Thus, he unwittingly boasts to whoever cares to listen of being ‘well connected and untouchable.’
“In the light of the foregoing, we hereby call for the removal of Mr Claude Kanayo Esekody for his overbearing and reprehensible official misconduct. We have tolerated enough of Mr Esekody’s excesses and we are by this notice asking the Management of Heritage Oil Services Nigeria Limited to do the needful by showing him the way out of his misconceived empire.
“This has become pertinent so as to enable us return to the glorious days of seamless and mutually beneficial relationship and operations with Heritage Oil. It is also in order to prevent an avoidable breakdown of law and order that may arise from your Management’s failure to expedite action on our irrevocable position.”
However, efforts to speak with Mr. Esekody on the allegations against him proved abortive as repeated attempts to speak with him were unsuccessful.
