The Niger-Delta security discussed in The Hague

The Niger Delta security issue formed the core discussion in the 7th Gulf of Guinea Energy Security Strategy(GGESS) international Conference hosted by the Government of Netherlands in The Hague from 31st July – 1st August 2007.

The conference had in attendance a high powered delegation from the United State, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Switzerland (host of the next 8th edition) and Norway. The Nigerian Government delegation was led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Ambassador Babagana Kingibe.

Four Niger Delta States delegation led by their governors made the Federal Government delegations. The Governors are Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom State), Celestine Omehia (Rivers State), Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta State) and Chief Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa State). In attendance were the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Grozney; Managing Director of Shell and Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Basil Omiyi; as well as his ExxonMobil and Total counterparts.

Also present were the Deputy Managing Director of Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Mr. Akin Aruwajoye, and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Timi Alaibe. Kingibe, at the meeting, disclosed the heavy toll of restiveness in the region on the country and put Nigeria’s revenue losses from incessant disruption of crude oil production at about $40 million daily.

Kingibe said that the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration had held a series of direct dialogues with all the stakeholders in the region and would continue to reassure the people of his administration’s willingness to address their problems. “There is presently a shut-in of 500,000 barrels of oil per day which translates to a revenue loss in the region of $40 million per day,” Kingibe said. He noted other impacts to include major cost escalations ranging between 30 and 40 per cent across some key upstream projects, as contractors now factor in their contract bids, “a Niger Delta Premium”, which covers community expectations, kidnaps, and higher insurance premium, among others.