Cheat Sheet Week 45 2009

Monday 2 November 2009

More maritime attacks: Two separate attacks on vessels off of Lagos have been reported over the weekend. 

In Brief:  Mykines: Six armed men in a speedboat boarded a chemical tanker, the Mykines, drifting off Lagos at approximately 20:15hrs on Friday 30th October.

In Brief:  Sylvretta: Nine heavily armed pirates in a speedboat boarded the bulk carrier, the Sylvretta owned by Oceana Shipping,   approximately 1.5 hours after the Mykines attack at 21:30hrs.

In Brief:  What’s next?: These two attacks are the furthest out we have reported off Lagos this year.  They happened approximately 17 nautical miles from shore. 

Lagos approves maritime guards; Lagos State government said it has set up a 15 man maritime anti-terrorist guard to patrol navigational routes, waterways and territorial waters across the state in a bid to stop the activities of sea robbers and rebel groups.

Fake fuel scarcity hobbles several cities: Lagos and Abuja have been struggling over the weekend as fuel scarcities both cities and many others right across the country.

In Brief:  Okah warns armed struggle will resume: Henry Okah, MEND’s leader, told Al Jazeera that the government has not stuck to its part of the deal and that “there will be a resumption of violence very soon”.  He declined to give a date.

In conclusion: We keep telling you that there are still shed loads of guns out there never mind more than a few people with genuine grievances not to mention those with political or personal agendas. 

Tuesday 3 November 2009

Fuel problems continue: It is now four days since rumours started of impending price hikes and looming fuel shortages. 

Government: Abuja has been making little or no comment on events and the issue is being discussed only lightly and in very hushed tones.

Opposition reaction: In a reaction to the development, the AC accused the government of deliberately inflicting hardship on the citizens under the guise of deregulation. 

Transport costs: Commuters are bearing the brunt as transporters in the major cities increase fares. 

Consumer costs: A sharp rise in the price of fuel could have a dramatic effect on small businesses and consumers right across the country. 

Strike: The main union, the NLC, threatened nationwide action if subsidies are removed. 

Who benefits?: The state currently pays fuel marketing firms the difference between the regulated pump price and the cost of importation.  The government says the marketers, not the consumers, are benefiting the most.

Conclusion?: Nigeria needs to deregulate its energy sector to end its dependence on imported fuel, which is burdening government finances and stunting growth in the downstream sector.

Chief’s Briefs says…: We STRONGLY recommend making operational plans based on short term fuel shortages. 

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Union talks before subsidy cut: The government said that it will go ahead as planned with the abolition of fuel subsidies despite the threat of a general strike, however, it will not change pump prices until consultations with the unions are concluded.

 Shell want to ‘quickly’ restore production: Royal Dutch Shell Plc, said its Nigerian venture is taking advantage of a declared cease-fire to quickly restore 800,000 barrels a day of production lost to earlier militant attacks.

 Re-training of ex rebels begins: Agroup of 3,000 out of the 15,000 rebels the government has said laid down arms will be signed up for the training exercise to prepare them for re-integration into society.

Militants are tired of meeting: Thirty former militants told the FG  in Abuja yesterday that they were tired of  attending endless meetings.

Thursday 5 November 2009

 Due to technical issues no Chiefs Briefs today.

Friday 6 November 2009

YRD:  Deregulation inevitable: President Yar’Adua said on Thursday deregulation of the petroleum sector was inevitable, noting that his administration was holding consultations and dialogue with all stakeholders to explain the necessity of the action.

 Waterways and insecurity: A key ex-militant, John Togo, branded the nation’s waterways as unsafe and insecure and called for immediate steps to stop corruption and control the illicit trafficking in small and heavy fire arms into the country.

 Navy arrests Lagos-bound vessel: A Nigerian Naval Ship, NNS Pathfinder arrested a Lagos-bound vessel for allegedly embarking on illegal bunkering of crude oil at Shell Petroleum manifold,   Bille Cawthorn Channel in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

In Brief:  Soludo’s father freed: Simeon Nwankwo Soludo, the 78-year old father of former Central Bank Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has been released by his abductors.

Nigeria closes border with Niger: Nigerian customs officials are blocking Niger from importing goods, Niger’s foreign affairs ministry has confirmed.  The FG denied it ordered the border to be closed.