The following is a memo issued to all staff
Further to earlier note today on the security incidents in the Port Harcourt area, in particular the increase in hostage taking of expatriates in different parts of Port Harcourt during the last weekend, we consider it necessary to institute the following restrictions to movements of expatriates into and within Port Harcourt:-
All business visits to Port Harcourt by expatriates are hereby suspended. Exceptions can only be granted by Mr Chima Ibeneche (Country Crisis team Chairman) or Dr Kisito Okpere, Acting MD, SPDC.
All business visits to Port Harcourt by non expatriates must be restricted to business critical only. Such visits must be cleared by the relevant Vice President in the Region or Director of SPDC or SNEPCO or higher authority.
All expatriates and their families in Port Harcourt are to restrict their movements between the Residential Area and the Office (I.A.) or the airport and all such movements must be restricted to daylight hours only (i.e. 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
Until further notice, expatriates on business to Port Harcourt (where authorised) must be accommodated in the Residential Area only. For clarity and until further notice, under no circumstance should an expatriate be lodged into any hotel in Port Harcourt.
An update to the International Travel Advisory is being sent to suspend all international business visits to Port Harcourt until further notice. Exceptions to be referred to Mr Chima Ibeneche or Dr Okpere for clearance.
We appreciate that these precautionary measures are restrictive and may add to the feelings of apprehension and insecurity amongst staff and contractors. We advise all to remain calm and to continue to exercise extra vigilance.
Basil Omiyi
Country Chairman