Cheat Sheet Week 27 2009

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Monday 29 June 2009

 

Shell facilities in Forcados on fire: OOL sources on Monday morning reported that  two Shell wellheads were on fire in the Forcados Estuary.  MEND claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.

 

Amnesty to start on August 6:  FG announced on Friday that the amnesty is to commence on August 6, for a period of 60 days in which the Military said to observe a cease fire. .

 

Okah will be freed only if Angola agree: FG  by Minister Abbey said Okah’s release would depend on a diplomatic deal with Angola from where he was extradicted.

 

Groups allegedly agree to discuss deal: Representatives of four rebel leaders – Ateke Tom, Soboma George, Farah Dagogo and Boy Loaf – told a news conference in Port Harcourt on Friday that they wanted to meet YRD before signing up to the amnesty deal.

 

 

Tuesday 30 June 2009

 

Expat abducted in Imo: OOL sources reported the kidnap of an American national (contracted by Addax) Monday on the road between Izombie Flowstation and Owerri in Imo State, at approx; 15:45hrs, leaving his Mopol escort killed and allegedly the driver fatally wounded.

 

Forcados fire confirmed by JTF: Shell confirmed Monday’s attack at two wellheads, Estuary field.saying some production had been closed in. The JTF confirmed the attack too but denied MEND’s claim of have killed soldiers.

 

Shell suspends operations in Delta and Bayelsa: SPDC said it had suspended its operations in the Western Niger Delta – Delta State and parts of Bayelsa State, leaving only operations in the Eastern Niger Delta.

 

Yar’Adua moves to speed up amnesty for Okah: President YRD directed the chair of the Presidential Panel on Amnesty for Niger Delta militants to immediately meet with MEND leader Henry Okah and formally offer him the amnesty. 

 

YRD wants rehab centres at UN standards: President YRD also directed the Presidential Implementation Committee on Amnesty and Disarmament to adhere to all UN standards in the operation of the rehabilitation and reintegration centres in the Niger Delta states.

 

Related:  Amnesty International is expected today to release a report revealing how decades of pollution and environmental damage caused by the oil industry in the Delta has caused serious and widespread violations of people’s rights to food, water, health and livelihood.

 

HRW says politicians should be punished: HRW said that the offer of amnesty fails to hold accountable corrupt government officials responsible for funding armed gangs and sets a bad precedent regarding the rule of law.

 

Russian deal raises European concerns: Gazprom’s $2.5bn investment deal with NNPC has risen concerns in Europe that Moscow is seeking to gain control of Nigerian reserves to tighten its grip on the European Union’s gas supplies.

 

Nigeria ranks low for oil investment: Oil and gas executives have ranked Nigeria among the 10 lowest nations in the world for oil and gas investment.

 

 

Wednesday 1 July 2009

 

Attempted expat abduction in Aba: In a failed attempt to kidnap an expatriate employee of 7-Up Bottling Company, Aba, Abia State on Tuesday  5 policemen attached to the 3 vehicle convoy were killed.

 

Amnesty slam Shell: Amnesty International released a report in which they reveal how decades of pollution and environmental damage caused by the oil industry (Shell) in the Delta has caused serious and widespread violations of people’s rights to food, water, health and livelihood. Shell dismissed the report saying Amnesty had made no attempt at open dialogue.

 

YRD extends amnesty offer to Okah: President YRD extended the amnesty offer to the jailed rebel leader Henry Okah.

 

YRD urged to intervene on teacher strike: The NLC urged president YRD to intervene to help end the strike, which has effectively shut down the schools.

 

Thursday 2 July 2009

 

JTF ops to halt in Niger Delta?: One national newspaper reported that the FG yesterday ordered the JTF to halt operations in the Niger Delta.

 

Watchdog group say plan priority misplaced: Amnesty International yesterday dismissed as misplaced priority the amnesty package offered by the FG saying that it would shield all those who abused human rights during the crisis to escape prosecution incl. members of the JTF.

 

Government insist no cash for arms: FG insisted that there will be no exchange of money for arms returned by militants, but instead militants will be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.

  

Security concerns stall EU projects in N/Delta: The European Commission revealed that militant activities stalled the implementation of several of its micro projects worth over N9.2 billion launched in Cross Rivers in June, billed for the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

 

Nigerian pirates blamed for hike in maritime premiums: The continued increase in marine insurance premiums is blamed on the activities of pirates operating off the coast of Nigeria.

 

Rebel doubts sincerity: Militant leader Boyloaf, AKA, Ebikabowei Victor Ben said on Wednesday he doubted the seriousness of a government amnesty offer and his men were not yet ready to take part. 

 

Okah still to see deal: Although YRD on Tuesay ordered to speed up the amnesty offer to Henry Okah, nothing has happened yet.

 

And then there’s this…….: Nigerians finally get the NiGaz gaffe

 

 

Friday 3 July 2009

 

Shell confirms closure of some operations: Shell Group officially confirmed that SPDC completely shut down its entire operations in the Western Niger Delta owing to increasing attacks on its workers and infrastructure.

 

Related: There is no sign yet that the amnesty offer made recently by the FGintended to stem the violence and calm the region will immediately have the desired effect. 

 

Fire kills 2 pipeline vandals: Two suspected pipeline vandals burnt to death while breaking open a pipeline at Eleme in Rivers state. CB gives an overview of the most recent incidents of pipeline vandalisme resulting in high numbers of casualties.

 

Nigeria to ban ‘gas flaring’: The Senate passed a bill on Thursday to forbid energy firms from burning gas during oil extraction from 2011 noting that failing to end gasflaring after 31 December 2010, would result in a fine and in addition loss of licence.

 

Nations to meet on Trans Sahara Pipeline deal: Nigeria on Friday hosted Algeria and Niger Republic to conclude discussions on the Tran-saharan Gas Pipeline project.  

 

And then there’s this…….: Sex workers sing for Jacko

 

 

 

 

 

Hostage Watch:

 

Kidnap: An American national, contracted by Addax, 29 June, Imo State. He was released 4 July.

 

Also held: 4 foreign workers on the vessel, MV Seal Tide, attacked by pirates offshore Bakassi on 14.03.09

 

Also held: 18 crewmembers of the MV Pusan Reafer, nationalities unknow, reported abducted 15.05.09

 

Also held: 2 filipino crewmembers of the MV Spirit hijacked 13.05.09,

 

 

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