Nigeria to lose 300, 000bpd as militants bomb three oil pipelines

The Niger Delta Avengers militant group said it has bombed three oil pipelines in southern Nigeria, an attack it said would lead to a production loss of 300,000 barrels per day in the OPEC-member nation.

Attacks on pipelines by several militant groups have slashed Nigeria’s oil production helping to tip the country into recession as it struggles to adapt to the low price of crude globally.
The Niger Delta Avengers, blamed for a wave of such attacks since the start of the year, said the latest bombing was to register its displeasure with way the government was handling grievances in the oil region.
“At about 11.45 pm November 15, 2016, our Elite Strike Team 03 struck Nembe 1, 2 and 3 truck line operated by Agip, Oando and Shell with supply capacity of 300,000 barrel per day to Bonny export terminal in Bayelsa State,” the NDA said in a statement late Tuesday.
“We are only reiterating our strong resolve that time is running (out) against the Nigerian government, that there is doom ahead,” it said.
“The Nigerian government needs our cooperation more than we need the government as it concerns the extraction of the crude oil and hydrocarbon resources in our God-given land,” it said.
There was no immediate confirmation of the attacks from the government.
Nigeria has deployed troops to end the renewed insurgency in the region and has initiated peace talks with the oil rebels.
But divisions between rival militant groups appear to be making it hard for the government to strike a lasting peace deal.

A 2009 amnesty deal with militants helped end sabotage, but the violence reignited after President Muhammadu Buhari’s cash-strapped government temporarily ended amnesty payments and charged a prominent warlord with graft.

AFP

Bayelsa assembly rejects grazing reserves bill

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has rejected a bill before the National Assembly for the establishment of grazing reserves in states for herdsmen across the country.

The members of the state assembly were said to have unanimously rejected the bill at a plenary.

The development reportedly followed a motion moved by a member representing Ogbia Constituency 1, Dr. Mitema Obordor.

The state lawmakers therefore called on the National Assembly to urgently discard the bill due to its unpopularity among Nigerians.

Obordor, in the motion, raised the alarm over allegations of unlawful encroachment, destruction of crops and farmlands in some parts of the state by herdsmen.

He mentioned some of the communities having issues with herdsmen as Agudama-Epie, Okutukutu, Gbarain, Tombia, Amassoma, Elebele, Otuasega and some areas in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama.

He lamented some of the nefarious activities of herdsmen such as alleged massacre of innocent persons and raping of women in Benue, Ekiti and Enugu states.

Obordor noted that herdsmen, had by their acts, exhibited impunity, lawlessness and threats to security.

The lawmaker stated that the motion was moved “bearing in mind the peculiar nature of the riverside communities. The development has left our people to manage the remaining upland portion for farm settlement and production of food for livelihood.”

He noted that his motion also took into cognisance the resolutions adopted at the recent Inter-Parliamentary Session of the South-South and South-East zones held recently in Imo State.

Obodor stated that it was dangerous to allow uncontrolled movements of cows, stressing that even though the country needed to diversify to agriculture, it should not be carried out at the detriment of lives and property.

The lawmakers adopted Obordor’s motion and resolved to “prohibit stray animals and grazing of cattle from one location to another through farmlands, thereby causing damage, health hazards, obstruction of vehicles and human traffic.”

Four Soldiers Feared Dead in Bayelsa Boat Accident

Four soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Delta Safe,ODS, who are currently carrying out an operation codenamed ‘Crocodile Smile’, to rid the Niger Delta of criminalities, were on Monday feared dead in the creeks of Bayelsa State.

The loss of the security personnel, it was learnt, followed a boat mishap along the Brass Water Front in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, which led to the troops drowning in the water which was said to have risen to a high level at the time.
All the weapons in the possession of the troops at the time of the accident, including service rifles, were also said to be missing.

It wasn’t clear why the boat capsized, but it was gathered that during the accident, which occurred about 10am on Monday, many other soldiers were able to swim to safety, though their weapons could not be recovered at the time of this report.

No military officer was willing to comment on the matter, but it was learnt that the troops, comprising mainly the newly deployed officers, were among the missing or those feared dead.

The government recently commenced the mass deployment of military personnel in the creeks of the Niger Delta consequent upon the prolonged destruction of oil and gas infrastructure belonging to the Federal Government and multinationals.

The security operations against renewed militancy, sea piracy and search for those threatening to hoist the Niger Delta Republic flag on October 1, has continued despite indications that the militants had signified their intention to begin peace talks with the government.

An indigene of the Brass Community identified as Etta, who said he witnessed the boat mishap, noted that attempts by community youths and other soldiers to assist in a rescue operation failed. Many of the affected soldiers could not be found, he added.