by Deep Green Resistance News Service | Feb 22, 2012 | Mining & Drilling
By BBC
A gas-fuelled fire, with flames as high as 5m, may burn for months in waters off the Niger Delta in south-east Nigeria, Chevron has told the BBC.
Two workers died after January’s explosion at the KS Endeavour exploration rig, owned by the US firm.
Friends of the Earth says this is the world’s worst such accident in recent years.
Chevron spokesman Lloyd Avram says, despite the fire, the situation is now under control and no oil is leaking.
Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa.
Pouring cement
A fire is burning in a 40m-wide area on the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, 10km off the Nigerian coast.
The company is trying to put out the fire by piercing a hole in the original gas well – through which cement will be poured.
“There’ll be 10,000ft of drilling and interestingly we need to hit an area that is approximately 12sq inches,” Mr Avram told the BBC.
“It is going to take some time, but I cannot predict how long that is going to be – conceivably months,” he said.
Scientists are conducting tests to find out if local food and water has been contaminated by the gas in the ocean – after local people raised concerns.
Almost 100 people have left towns close to the fire and local chiefs are asking Chevron to relocate more.
A major build-up of gas pressure from drilling caused the explosion that set the rig on fire in the middle of January, according to the Nigeria’s state run oil company.
From BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17126335
by Deep Green Resistance News Service | Feb 10, 2012 | Property & Material Destruction
By Emma Amaize / Vanguard
After cessation of hostilities for some months in the Niger-Delta, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, weekend, threatened to bomb telecommunication giant, MTN, SACOIL and other investments of South Africa in Nigeria because of alleged interference of President Jacob Zuma in its struggle for justice in the Niger-Delta.
The militant group issued the warning in an internet post by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, shortly after it bombarded the National Agip Oil Company, NAOC, trunk line at Brass in Bayelsa state on Saturday.
In a disguised reference to the tribulation of its assumed leader, Henry Okah and postponement of his trial in by a South-African court, the militant group said the South Africa President has reduced himself to a mercenary of President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to it: “In the dark days to come, MTN, SACOIL, and other South African investments will pay a heavy price for the interference of Jacob Zuma in the legitimate fight for justice in the Niger Delta by its people. The South African President has reduced himself to the position of a hired thug for Goodluck Jonathan.”
The group, which also announced a new phase for its struggle for justice, claimed responsibility for the January 28 bombing of the Ogbogbabene country home of the Minister of Niger-Delta, Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe in Burtutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
In the words of the group, “On Saturday, the 4th of February at 19:30hrs, fighters of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) attacked and destroyed the Agip trunk line at brass in Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
“This relatively insignificant attack is a reminder of our presence in the creeks of the Niger Delta and a sign of things to come”, it stated.
“We have constantly warned Nigerians about Goodluck Jonathan and his train of idiots running Nigeria. Events of the last few months have vindicated our position on the inability of this moron to lead Nigeria anywhere but downwards”, the group added.
“Rather than address serious issues facing the nation and its citizens, Goodluck Jonathan squanders public funds on tribalistic sycophants and thugs calling themselves ex-militants.
For more, please see the full article by Vanguard: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/02/mend-directions-of-a-new-upsurge/
