NIGER DELTA TIDBITS: SECURITY, POLITICS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000759 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA, DS/IP/AF, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/OSAC OSLO FOR HELENA SCHRADER DOE FOR GPERSON, CAROLYN GAY TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS, SRENENDER, DFIELDS COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS STATE PASS USTR FOR ASST USTR FLISER STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN AND MSTUCKART STATE PASS TDA FOR NCABOT STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL NI SUBJECT: NIGER DELTA TIDBITS: SECURITY, POLITICS, DEVELOPMENT Classified By: Acting Consul General Vicki Hutchinson for reasons 1.4 ( B) and (D) ¶1. (C) This cable provides updates to security and political developments in the Niger Delta. These events occurred in November and were not previously reported: --Bonny Island Labor Skirmish Results in 3 Fatalities --Delta: Joint Task Force-Uduaghan Prevent Itsekiri Attack on Chevron --Senate Delegation Visits Niger Delta --Delta: Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Employs Workers; Militants Calm --Rivers: United Nations Cleanup in Ogoniland Remains Stalled -------------- -------------- Bonny Island Labor Skirmish Results in 3 Fatalities -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Two mobile police and one contract guard were killed, five others wounded, at Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas's water well access gate on Bonny Island, Rivers State, at approximately 0300 on November 27. According to security sources, this was not a militant attack. Drivers and cleaners who were on strike outside the facility apparently escalated their activities from rock throwing to more lethal acts. -------------- -------------- Delta: JTF-Uduaghan Prevent Itsekiri Attack on Chevron -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Security contacts reported that the military Joint Task Force (JTF) prevented hundreds of community youths or hired gunmen from storming a Chevron facility near Ugborodo, Warri in Delta State on November 25. According to press reports, the Itsekiri youths belonging to the Niger Delta Survival Front wanted to cripple Chevron operations due to the company's failure to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The press reports Governor Uduaghan was instrumental in defusing the conflict; security sources commented the JTF also performed quite well in this incidence. Security sources did not believe that Tom Polo or his followers were involved in this incident, though it is likely they were aware of it. -------------- Senate Delegation Sees Niger Delta Neglect Expresses Support for Increased Derivation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) A Senate Delegation passed a five-day retreat in the Niger Delta in order to gain personal experience of the region; they witnessed under development in Bayelsa and environmental degradation in Akwa Ibom. The senators told the press they were moved by the poverty and neglect and expressed support for increased derivation, ecological responses, improved rule of law, and accountability. (Comment: The visit appears to have opened the senators' eyes to the region; time will tell what approach they adopt in Abuja to address the challenges. End Comment.) ¶5. (C) According to press reports, Senate President David Mark took a group on an aerial tour of Delta State's creeks. According to Sheriff Mulade, President of the Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC),Mark's visits to Tom Polo's Camp 5 and the Gbaramatu Kingdom were cancelled because he failed to secure Tom Polo's approval. Tom Polo and his militants reportedly threatened the delegation and would not accept reconciliation attempts by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development LAGOS 00000759 002 OF 002 Commission (DESOPADEC) Chairman. -------------- DESOPADEC Employs Workers; Militants Calm -------------- ¶6. (C) DESOPADEC is hiring administrative workers from oil producing communities, according to a Delta State official. These employment opportunities would calm the state's militants until DESOPADEC is ready to begin projects. A DESOPADEC delegation reportedly plans to familiarize itself with oil refineries in Houston in preparation for government-built refineries. The state government expects Deltans trained at technical institutes to work in the refineries. ¶7. (C) Comment: While local technical institutes offer training, their equipment is poor, if they have any at all, and most students graduate without practical experience, contacts have griped. That the state government is looking to boost employment in oil producing areas is a positive sign. However, unless these efforts are given significant resources, and used properly, this may be nothing but a short term solution. Additionally, plans for new refineries are tenuous at best. Recent activities in the state (para 3) suggest not all groups are calmed by DESOPADEC's activities. End Comment. -------------- UN Cleanup in Ogoniland Remains Stalled -------------- ¶8. (C) Legborsi Pyagbara, International Advocacy Officer for the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), said MOSOP members are unsure of "what's happening" with cleanup efforts relating to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). It appears UNEP has ignored a July agreement which outlined cooperation and dialogue between UNEP and MOSOP, he speculated; UNEP held a meeting in Geneva to discuss cleanup options but did not invite MOSOP nor consult them prior to recruiting community liaison officers. Since MOSOP voiced these concerns with UNEP, recruitment has been suspended and UNEP has met with the Ministry of Environment, the UN Development Program (UNDP) in Nigeria, and MOSOP. MOSOP is warily watching the UNDP's participation in this process as the post-conflict branch which would be involved is composed of former Shell employees and it appears Shell would fund this cleanup project. ¶9. (C) Comment: While Pyagbara continued to express reservations over the cleanup process, he did not discount it. His comments suggested MOSOP would willingly participate if they are fully included, as outlined in July. However, since discussions have sporadically occurred over the past 18 months, it is unlikely cleanup efforts will begin anytime soon. End Comment. ¶10. (U) This cable has been coordinated with Embassy Abuja. HUTCHINSON