GENERAL.
Nigeria loses 800,000-Bpd Output.
On the 12th of June 2006 it was reported that the attacks on oil personnel and facilities by militants in the Niger Delta had caused 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) to be shut in. Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) alone accounted for about 500,000 bpd, according to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). These losses in production represent 32% of Nigeria�s total production of 2.5 million bpd. In monetary terms the country could be losing $56m daily given the high price of crude oil on the international market.
President decries insecurity in the Niger Delta.
On the 12th of June 2006 it was reported that President Olusegun Obasanjo decried the worsening insecurity in the Niger Delta where some groups had made illegal oil bunkering and kidnapping of expatriate oil workers for ransom the order of the day. He attributed the negative trend in the region to the collapse of community life, a collapse of traditional and social values and disrespect for the constituted authority, stressing that the challenge ahead was not just a matter of providing jobs and social infrastructure but a need to rebuild the soul of the community in such a way that the youths will once again have respect both for traditional social institutions and modern hierarchy of authority. He vowed that the current economic reforms were slanted towards job creation as well as the provision of social infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water.
Police rated number 1-bribe takers in independent survey.
On the 13th of June the police were rated the most likely organisation to ask for a bribe in a survey of carried out by The CLEEN Foundation, an None Governmental Organisation, which promotes public safety. In a survey of 10,036 people 50.6% male and 49.4% female, from all walks of life, 65.4% stated that police officials solicit for bribes; 8.1 said NEPA/PHCN officials demanded bribes, 7.5% said teachers, lecturers and professors asked for bribes. Others seen to be corrupt in the survey were, government officials (4.4%); municipal and local government officials (1.6%); court officials (1%) and security guards (0.9%). The survey rated the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control as the best government crime regulator closely followed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission while the Police Service Commission was the lowest in the order. In the survey 42.3% were not satisfied with the police in terms of their response to violent crime such as murder, robbery, rape and assault. It further showed that the reason for this was the police did not do enough to apprehend offenders. 64.1% of those surveyed stated that the trend of corruption had increased since 1999 despite the administration, of President Obasanjo�s, campaign to stamp it out. The crime,” hot spots,” were said to be, for robbery incidents outside the home, Abia State followed by Rivers, Kogi and Ebonyi States. Fear of neighbourhood crime was Bayelsa followed by Benue, Taraba Plateau and Rivers State. For rape outside the home, Rivers came top followed by Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom and Taraba States.
FG releases N1.7 Billion to offset Nitel salary arrears.
On the 13th of June 2006 it was announced that the Federal Government would release N1.7 billion to pacify staff of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) who have been striking since last week. The Minister of Communications has appealed to the workers to return to work so the money can be dispersed to them. However the break away union the National Association of Telecommunication Employees (NATE), said N1.7 billion was a far-cry from what could offset the workers salary arrears. However on the 15th of June 2006 the NITEL workers resumed work and suspended the strike on condition that the arrears in salaries are paid for the months of February to April 2006 and that all other outstanding allowances are paid once Nitel�s debts had been reconciled.
Nigeria to hand over Bakassi peninsula.
On the 13th of June 2006 it was announced that the Nigerian Government had agreed to hand over the oil rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon in a deal brokered by the United Nations. A dispute has been going on over the ownership of the area and this almost led to war in 1981. In 2002 the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the area belonged to Cameroon. There are thousands of Nigerians and a sizeable military force in the area. It is expected that this force will be withdrawn in the next two months. Nigerians will then have a choice to either stay or leave the area. Nigerian Police will remain in the area for the next two years as a transition measure and any Nigerian who stay in the area will have a say in the running of the local government. The move has been condemned by the Paramount Ruler of Bakassi, Chief Etim Edet for lack of consultation between the Nigerian Government and himself.
Port Harcourt (and River State).
Odili warned not to run for presidency.
On the 14th of June 2006 it was reported that a new militant group in the Niger Delta had threatened to attack Government House, Port Harcourt if Governor Peter Odili ran for the presidency in 2007. Olu Jacob of the as yet unheard of Niger Delta Coastal Guerrillas who�s� office is said to be at No 6 Amarata Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, accused some of the presidential aspirants for the problems in the Niger Delta. He said,� they laid the foundation for the formation of all militia groups that have been kidnapping white men in recent times.� The group without any specific reference alleged that the present administration created the militants and blamed them for the rising level of insecurity in the region. Various groups in the state have asked Governor Odili to run for president.
Warri (Delta and adjoining states).
FG deploys troops to Niger-Delta.
On the 12th of June 2006 it was reported that due to the resurgence in kidnapping by militants in the Niger Delta the Federal Governments had deployed soldiers to known trouble spots. Soldiers are now manning checkpoints at strategic locations in Warri and Yenagoa. Navel personnel have been deployed on major waterways to monitor possible movement of militants from Bayelsa to Delta State.
More threats from militants to oil companies.
On the 14th of June 2006 it was reported that militant youths from the Ijaw youths of Ekeremor local government area of Bayelsa State had given seven day for Peak Petroleum Nigeria Limited and Shell Petroleum Development Company to leave the area or face fresh attacks. The youths under the aegis of the Iduwini Volunteer Force (IVF) gave the deadline even whilst petitioning the state governor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to ask Peak Petroleum to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sign last week after the release of eight hostages from the Buford Dolphin rig. They are also threatening SPDC for not N500 million compensation to the families of three youth killed by security forces attached to SPDC and for a N800 million MOU which they alleged was signed by SPDC for working in the E.A. Field area. They allege that SPDC has failed to fulfil this MOU.
Lagos (and adjoining states).
5 killed in bank robbery.
On the 12th of June 2006 five people including four police officers were killed when armed robbers stormed a new generation bank located at Ago Palace Way, Okota, Islol Lagos. The robbers shot at the police deployed to prevent their escape and killed one security man and four police officers. It appears the robbers were in the process of blowing the safe when the police team arrived. The police had arrived in three cars and an Armored personnel Carrier a fierce gun battle ensued however the robbers escape abandoning three vehicles in which numerous items of safe breaking and burglary equipment were found. The Lagos State Public Relations Officer denied any officers had been killed. At the time of writing this cannot be confirmed. This incident came only 48 hours after a similar attempt at the Pacific Bank, Lagos Island in which eight people were killed.