tagged w/ Niger Delta
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Ahead of the UK Prime Minister's meeting with the Nigerian leader, Reuters takes on the question: WHY IS THE DELTA IMPORTANT?
We tried to address this question last year with our piece, "Rebels in the Pipeline". Nigeria is the most important oil producer in a region that is expected to supply an increasing percentage of our energy needs. But 50 years of oil production has translated into very little for the people of Nigeria. I think what we're seeing with how all the unrest there is contributing to higher gas prices here demonstrates with sobering clarity how corruption, poverty and oppression in one country can have resounding effects in this increasingly interconnected world.
Ahead of the UK Prime Minister's meeting with the Nigerian leader, Reuters takes... more
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Rebels in the Niger Delta called off a self-imposed ceasefire today in response to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's comment that the UK stands ready to provide backing to Nigerian security forces to battle lawlessness in the oil rich region.
The Movement for the Emanicapation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a "stern warning" to Mr Brown in an emailed statement: "Should Gordon Brown make good his threat to support this criminality for the sake of oil, UK citizens and interests in Nigeria will suffer the consequences."
The Nigerian press received the British offer as a declaration of war against rebel groups. The Daily Champion newspaper ran the headline "Battle Line! UK to Declare War on Delta Militants".
The renewed tensions in the delta helped push oil to another record high.
See full article here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/browns-african-misadventure-865035.html
Rebels in the Niger Delta called off a self-imposed ceasefire today in response to... more
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What do a small group of rebels in southern Nigeria have to do with your daily commute?
Oil analysts have been pointing to the growing violence in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta for a while now, but rarely with the frequency that they have over the last few weeks. In that time, militants have pulled-off about a half-dozen attacks on oil pipelines and facilities. With world oil supplies already stretched, Africa's largest producer -- and the US's fifth largest supplier -- has been forced to cut production. And if the rebels themselves are to be believed, the situation may only get worse.What do a small group of rebels in southern Nigeria have to do with your daily... more
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The president of Nigeria Umaru Yar'Adua has taken steps to indoctrinate the abundance of militants in the oil rich Niger Delta region into a defence scheme for the pipelines in the area.
The Defence Minister Alhaji Yayale Ahmed stated to the House of Representatives Committee that the federal government in conjunction with local and state levels have cultivated plans of “constructive engagement " meaning the forming of limited liability companies for the legitimate employ of the militants.
The area of the Niger Delta has suffered from unrest for many years due to the rich wealth in resources of the region and its exploitation paralleled with the poverty of the population in the region and the damage to the environment caused that effect all life in the area. MarianaVanZeller's pod will explain a lot about the situation: http://current.com/items/77541711_rebels_in_the_pipeline.
MEND have not stated if they will be involved with this “constructive engagement “scheme but their leader in negotiations has recently given his faith to peace in negotiations with the
Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee chairman Chief James Jeftha. There has been criticism of “constructive engagement " in the Nigerian and international communities, as questions such as; whose arming them, who do they answer to, how do you know they won’t continue hostile actions inside installations ? More constructive questions consist of; why not focus efforts on the Nigerian Local Content Policy to stop sucking up money and actually be applied to areas in need of it. Abubakar Atiku Nuhu-Koko addresses these issues in the linked article, here is a taste:
“The truth of the matter is that offering security jobs to the militants will not solve the problems at hand in the Niger Delta. A holistic approach, which requires integrating and domesticating the largely foreign-controlled “enclave” oil and gas economy, is what, is desirable. The militant youths need education, quality of life that comes with productive employment, training opportunities and an environment free from oil and gas related pollution etc.”
The president of Nigeria Umaru Yar'Adua has taken steps to indoctrinate the... more
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Parallel to Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua gesture of good faith by offering to tackle the problems in the delta (suggesting reforms to the economy and petroleum sector), a Chevron Corp. oil vessel was highjacked off the coast of Port Harcourt on tuesday night. Eleven men were captured, two of which were foreign (Ukrainian and Portuguese) along with the vessel, however no group has claimed the action. MEND (Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta) has claimed it had nothing to do with the incident. Hopefully this incident wont effect President Yar'Adua's attempt to sympathise with the Niger delta's problems.Parallel to Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua gesture of good faith by offering... more
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A strike by Exxon Mobil workers and a string of militant attacks on Shell oil facilities in the Niger Delta have led Africa's largest oil producer to cut production by more than half. The shortfall is adding pressure to already tight oil markets and pushing the price of crude to near record highs.
For an in depth look at the deteriorating situation in the delta, check out Rebels in the Pipeline.A strike by Exxon Mobil workers and a string of militant attacks on Shell oil... more
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Oil pushed above $117 yesterday after rebels in the Niger Delta attacked two major pipelines. Shell confirmed the attacks and an expected output loss of 169,000 barrels of oil per day. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, claimed credit and in an email to reporters said it was a message to the United States to stop supporting "injustice" in the region.
For more on the situation in the Niger Delta, check out the Vanguard Special report Rebels in the Pipeline:
http://current.com/items/77541651_rebels_in_the_pipelineOil pushed above $117 yesterday after rebels in the Niger Delta attacked two major... more
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In an exclusive report from the Niger Delta, in the deep south of west Africa, Tracy McVeigh hears the extraordinary stories of children who have been ostracised by their families and communities, and visits the parents who have abandoned and abused their own children because they believe they are witches.In an exclusive report from the Niger Delta, in the deep south of west Africa, Tracy... more
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At least two people have been killed in a clash between the Nigerian navy and suspected militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta, security sources say. It occurred near an offshore oilfield operated by the Shell oil company. At least two people have been killed in a clash between the Nigerian navy and... more
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An attack on a Nigerian oil rig operated by Italian firm ENI shut 50,000 barrels per day of production and reminded investors that Africa's biggest producer is a long way from restoring order and normal output in the oil-rich delta. Gunmen in speedboats attacked an oil vessel off the coast of Nigeria at dawn Friday and kidnapped six workers, ENI said.
An attack on a Nigerian oil rig operated by Italian firm ENI shut 50,000 barrels per... more
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Current's Mariana van Zeller travels to one of the most unstable regions in the world - Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta. She investigates what's behind the growing number of kidnappings and attacks in Africa's largest oil producer and the US's fifth largest energy supplier.Current's Mariana van Zeller travels to one of the most unstable regions in the... more
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