http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200801121541960

Sack fever grips Shell workers
By Sola Adebayo
Published: Sunday, 13 Jan 2008

Fear has gripped employees of Shell Petroleum Development Company as the management firms up plans for a leadership shake up.

Sunday Punch learnt on Saturday that the new leadership structure for the SPDC would be announced before the end of this week.

It was gathered that the unveiling of the new administrative structure at the unit and departmental levels in the company, initially slated for January 1, was shelved because top members of the management team were on annual vacation.

The big shots in the company resumed duties towards the end of last week to put finishing touches to the plan for the pending re-organisation in the oil conglomerate.

It was learnt that the planned restructuring would lead to job losses at various levels in the company.

Findings showed that there was disquiet in the offices and field locations of the Anglo/Dutch firm in the Niger Delta on Friday as the oil workers awaited their fate in the new scheme in the company.

The oil workers were worried that a list containing the names of the managers of the strategic units due for retirement, and those who would take over from them was ready in Lagos on Thursday.

A source in the company said that the management was expected to forward the list to the headquarters of the Eastern Operation in Port Harcourt and Western Operation of the firm in Warri, on Friday.

The managerial cadres, especially the unit and departmental heads, will be determined before other categories of workers follow between January and March 31.

Our source, who is a top official of the company in Warri, said, ”Details of the rest of the re-organisation will follow shortly after the fate of the managers and heads of departments is determined in the second week of January 2008.

“You can notice the feelings of worry and unhappiness everywhere here (SPDC, Warri). The workers are apprehensive because of the ongoing re-organisation, which we have been told would lead to job losses.

“We have been informed by the management to stand by for the list of the leadership level, which will be out any moment from now. Maybe we will know the details this weekend.

“The workers have not been happy from the beginning of the New Year. An air of uncertainty hangs over SPDC offices across the country.”

The security situation in the Niger Delta, which led to unprecedented production cuts and significant revenue losses by the firm, reportedly made the initiative inevitable.

The management embarked on what was described as ‘Recovery Actions’ to carry out its mandate with minimal costs.

To achieve the feat, the headquarters of the SPDC in Hague, Netherlands, merged the company‘s subsidiaries and announced a new management to man a single structure for the investment in Nigeria‘s oil industry in November 2007.

It was learnt that performance and the critical importance of skills were some of parameters that would be used to carry out the re-organisation.

The SPDC‘s spokesman, Mr. Precious Okolobo, could not be reached for comment before press time.

However, a source in the company‘s Government and Public Affairs Department told our correspondent that the list of leaders to man the new organisation would be released by the management within the next few days.

SPDC‘s Country Chairman, Mr. Basil Omiyi, disclosed in November 2007 that the new organisation would be announced on January 1.

Omiyi, who also lost his exalted job as the Chief Executive Officer of Shell Nigeria in the restructuring, said the implementation of the new organisation would take off on April 1.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200801140261362

Shell downgrades directors, sacks workers
By Sola Adebayo, Warri
Published: Monday, 14 Jan 2008

The reorganisation in the Dutch oil firm, Shell Petroleum Development Company, entered the second phase on Friday as 53 managers were appointed to man the company’s strategic business units in Nigeria.

Under the new arrangement, the positions of directors and general managers has been phased out in the oil firm.

Those occupying the positions before now were either downgraded as managers or sacked on Friday.

Some directors, general managers and managers were placed on notice for retirement as from April 1, 2008.

However, the number of oil workers who were asked to proceed on terminal leave at this stage could not be ascertained by our correspondent as at press time on Sunday.

The second phase of the re-structuring exercise, which was made public on Friday by SPDC’s Vice-President, Mrs. Ann Pickard, entailed the appointment of the managers and their immediate subordinates.

Our correspondent gathered on Sunday that eight managers were appointed to work with the Vice-President, Production, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, while five persons were appointed as managers in the Infrastructure and Logistics Department.

Similarly, the Technical Unit of SPDC has eight managers, while the Commercial Unit has 10 managers.

Pickard, in a note to the staff titled, “Leadership team appointments – Levels 3 & 4,” said 11 managers were appointed for human resources, four for finance, one for security, two for health, safety, environment and business value, and four for exploration departments.

Specifically, the positions of general managers for SPDC’s Eastern Operations in Port Harcourt, and Western Operations in Warri, were downgraded.

Their helmsmen were re-designated as Asset Manager (East) and Asset Manager (West).

Findings by our correspondent showed that Mr. Pieter Zegelaar was appointed as Asset Manager (West), while Mr. Akindele Ogunkoya became Asset Manager (East).

A new spokesman was also appointed for the company in Nigeria.

He is Mr. Tony Okonedo, who was designated Team Leader, Media Relations.

A reliable source in the company quoted Pickard as saying that the managers and their subordinates who emerged during the second phase of the reorganisation would midwife the third and final stages of the exercise.

The source told our correspondent that the final stage entailed the selection of the workforce.

It was exclusively reported in the last edition of the Sunday Punch that the details of the second phase of the reorganisation in the Dutch oil firm would be made public on Friday.

The unveiling of the new administrative structure at the second stage, initially slated for January 1, was delayed because top members of the management team of the company were on annual vacation.

The security situation in the Niger Delta, culminating in unprecedented production cuts and significant revenue losses, compelled the management to embark on belt- tightening measures described as “Recovery Actions”, in order to carry out its mandate at minimal cost

This is MEND and co have ultimately achieved - a reduction in the workforce. A friend of mine, a contract staff has been 'floating' for the past two months, without any idea what is going to happen. one can be sure that Mobil, Chevron and the rest of the upstream folks will soon follow suit. so much for 'local content'.

i wonder what the families and dependents of those laid off will have to say about the 'freedom fighters' of the niger delta

Congratulation to all the Freedom Fighters, The People of N-Delta adore you all for your commitment to liberate and emancipate us from the hands of oppressors the Fulani/Hausa, their supporters corrupt Yoruba politician/corrupt military General and oil companies.
Because of your galant excel in fighting for our libration, They dirty oppressor are now packing their stinking loads and gradually leaving in shame, this is the beginning of victory, But We will declare total victory when no single of the oppressors who had impoverished our people are no more seen in N-Delta.
Thank you M.E.N.D. and all the commanders of N-Delta freedom fighter for your Excellent Leadership. They silent oppressed majority of our people are with you.