Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04LAGOS2446
2004-12-06 17:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:  

CHEVRON AND SHELL STATIONS OCCUPIED; ONE AMCIT HELD

Tags:  EPET CASC PGOV MOPS NI 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 002446 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR CA/OCS/FROBINSON
STATE FOR EB/ESC/IEC/ENR/BLEVINE
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF
STATE FOR INR/AA
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
STATE PASS TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
STATE PASS DOC PHUPER
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2009
TAGS: EPET CASC PGOV MOPS NI
SUBJECT: CHEVRON AND SHELL STATIONS OCCUPIED; ONE AMCIT HELD

REF: LAGOS 1978

Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)

Summary
--------

C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 002446

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W
STATE FOR CA/OCS/FROBINSON
STATE FOR EB/ESC/IEC/ENR/BLEVINE
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF
STATE FOR INR/AA
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
STATE PASS TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
STATE PASS DOC PHUPER
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2009
TAGS: EPET CASC PGOV MOPS NI
SUBJECT: CHEVRON AND SHELL STATIONS OCCUPIED; ONE AMCIT HELD

REF: LAGOS 1978

Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)

Summary
--------------


1. (C) Chevron Texaco (CT) Nigeria confirmed that local
community members occupied the Robert-kiri flow station near
Port Harcourt, Rivers State on 5 December. Thirty CT
employees, including one Amcit, are being held at the
facility. A CT delegation, accompanied by State Assembly
members, is en route to Robert-kiri to negotiate with the
villagers. CT has ceased production of between 10,000 -
20,000 barrels/day at the facility. Shell also confirmed that
local villagers occupied the Ekulama I and II flow stations,
near Kula in Rivers state, on 5 December. The villagers have
now departed the Shell facilities, and there were no
injuries. The Italian Embassy told Embassy Abuja there was
an unsuccessful attempt to take over an AGIP facility on
December 3.

Chevron Texaco Station Remains Occupied; One Amcit Held
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Chevron Texaco (CT) External Affairs Director Femi
Odumabo confirmed local community members have been occupying
the Robert-kiri facility near Port Harcourt since 5 December.
At this writing, Odumabo and a delegation from the Rivers
State Assembly are en route to negotiate with the
townspeople. CT Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH)
Manager reported approximately thirty CT employees, including
one Amcit, are being held by the community members. CT has
moved to security code 4 at a number of its facilities in the
area. (Chevron operates under a 5-tier security system; at
level 5, the company completely withdraws from an area.) The
number of community members occupying the facility has
fluctuated from the approximately 300 villagers who initially
took over on Sunday morning to as few as 25; currently over
one hundred villagers appear to be participating. The locals
have been reticent to voice many specific demands. A Chevron
official told us the only demand has been to speak with
President Obasanjo. Chevron Texaco has shut down production
at the flow station, because the production activities could
endanger the villagers, including children, currently
occupying the facility. The flow station's capacity is
modest, between 10,000 - 20,000 barrels/day.

Occupation of 2 Shell Stations Resolved Peacefully
-------------- --------------


3. (C) In a nearby incident, Shell Security Coordinator
Mike Achu confirmed local villagers occupied the Ekulama I
and II flow stations, near Kula in Rivers state, for a day
beginning on 5 December. (Note: As per reftel, on 24
September, Shell evacuated approximately 200 personnel from
the Ekulama and Soku facilities when militants killed two
Shell Nigerian boat crew members and disarmed six mobile
police in Soku.) Achu said the villagers left the stations,
and there were no injuries. A planned intervention by the
state security forces was aborted when the occupation was
peacefully resolved. Approximately 80,000 barrels of
production were lost as a result of the occupation. Achu
said production would be restored shortly. Achu reported no
information involving Americans or other expatriates, noting
that these flow stations were typically staffed by Nigerians.

BROWNE