MISSION NIGERIA WELCOMES STAFFDEL SMITH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001567 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W, H, AF/RSA DEPT PLEASE PASS SENATE STAFFERS S.SMITH, S.MARGON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN NI SUBJECT: MISSION NIGERIA WELCOMES STAFFDEL SMITH REF: STATE 84656 ¶1. U.S. Mission Nigeria warmly welcomes the visit of Senate Foreign RELATIONS Committee staff Ms. Shannon Smith and Ms. Sarah Margon to Abuja, Nigeria from August 12-14, and Lagos from August 14-16, 2008. Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos will work to schedule requested meetings. The Mission looks forward to greeting the Staffdel upon its arrival. ¶2. Control Officers for the visit are POLITICAL Officers Patrick Ryan (Abuja) and Helena Schrader (Lagos). Patrick Ryan 234-9-461-4141 (OFFICE) 234-703-064-9635 (CELL) RyanPL/at/state.gov Helena Schrader 234-1-261-0050 ext. 254 (OFFICE) 234-803-665-1326 (CELL) 234-1-261-1863 (FAX) SchraderHP/at/state.gov Administrative Point of Contact for the visit is John Heinbeck: 234-9-461-4157 (OFFICE) 234-803-408-0949 (CELL) 234-9-461-4305 (FAX) HeinbeckJC/at/state.gov ¶3. The Embassy has reserved two rooms at the Protea Hotel Asokoro in Abuja at 27,000 naira 10% service charge (a total of approximately $253 per night) for the nights of August 12 and 13. Rooms include free WiFi internet access and an in-room computer for use free of charge. Breakfast is not/not included. The hotel address is: Bola Ige Close, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria and phone number is 234-803-408-0591. ¶4. Consulate-General (ConGen) Lagos has reserved two rooms at the Guest Quarters (GQ) on Ikoki, Lagos Island run by the Consulate Association for the nights of August 14 and 15. Rates are $225 per night, payable in U.S. dollars. WiFi is available throught the GQ and breakfast is included. The GQ telephone number is 234-1-269-3720. ¶5. Embassy notes that visas are required for entry into Nigeria and must be obtained prior to traveling. Airport visas are not available. ¶6. SECURITY: There is no specific terrorist threat against American citizens or American interests in Nigeria. Rather, the main threat to U.S. citizens and U.S. interests is mostly criminal based upon prevailing economic conditions. Violent crime is endemic throughout the country. Armed street robberies, carjackings, sexual assaults, residential burglaries and credit card fraud threaten every person in the country, foreigners and Nigerians alike. U.S. citizens and official travelers have not been singled out, but they are generally perceived to be affluent and are subject to the same threat as all other persons in Nigeria. There have also been incidents of violent communal unrest outside Abuja and Lagos during the past several months, and innocent bystanders have suffered. RSO has determined that most violent crimes around Abuja take place between the hours of 2300 - 0600. Embassy Abuja and ConGen Lagos will arrange for appropriate security details to accompany the delegation. ¶7. MEDICAL: Malaria prophylaxis should be started one week before arrival, continued through the length of stay and at least four weeks after departure. Visitors must ensure that their immunizations are up-to-date and carry their entire ABUJA 00001567 002 OF 002 yellow book shot record with them. Avian influenza is present in Nigeria among birds. ¶8. Further information on travel in Nigeria is available at the following State Department website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis pa tw/cis/cis 987.html PIASCIK