Youths shut oil platform, attack boats – The Guardian
November 17, 2009 by Bunmi Awolusi
The post-amnesty boost in Nigeria’s oil production capacity because of the fledgling peace in the Niger Delta region is now being threatened as irate youths shut down a 25,000 barrel per day (bpd) Conoil production platform, which is six kilometres off the coast of Ilaje in Ondo State.
And as if to reinforce fears that peace may remain elusive in the region, militants yesterday attacked fish boats and local traders along the creeks of Bayelsa State and Calabar Channels I, Cross River State.
These are coming as a former Petroleum Minister, Prof. Tam David-West, faulted plans to sell the nation’s refineries.
Numbering about 100, and travelling in about five speed boats, the youths, suspected to be members of the local militant group, the Gwama Boys, forcibly took over the Mr. P Platform, where they disarmed the security guards on duty last weekend and put a stop to all exploration activities.
The youths were said to be protesting the non-implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) dated August 12, 2000 and signed with representatives of the communities to facilitate a good working environment.
