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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ABUJA 000483 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USTR-AGAMA 
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH 
DOE FOR GPERSON, CHAYLOCK 
LABOR FOR SHALEY 
USDA/FAS/OTP FOR MCKENZIE 
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID/AFR FOR ATWOOD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON ELAB EPET EFIN EAGR KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA:  BI-WEEKLY POL/ECON UPDATES FOR FEBRUARY 14-28, 
2009 
 
REF: A) 08 Lagos 505 
 
ABUJA 00000483  001.4 OF 004 
 
 
(U) The following is a joint Embassy Abuja, ConGen Lagos compilation 
of February 14-28 political/economic highlights, which did not 
feature in our other reporting, covering: 
 
--National Assembly 
--Oil and Gas 
--Niger Delta 
--Economic and Business News 
--Health 
 
----------------- 
National Assembly 
----------------- 
¶1.  (U) HOUSE OF REPS COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL DONORS AND CIVIL 
SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS INAUGURATED: On February 10 Poloff, EconOff, 
and Econ Specialist attended the Inauguration of the House of 
Representatives Committee on International Donors and Civil Society 
Organizations (CSOs).  In her address, Committee Chair Nnenna Ukeje 
explained that the newly formed committee is responsible for 
engaging with international donors and CSOs to achieve national 
development goals and will provide financial oversight to ensure 
transparency and accountability on the part of civil society, while 
at the same time ensuring donor confidence.  Ukeje emphasized the 
need to synchronize grant money with the government's budgetary 
projections and development priorities.  She said that Nigerian 
citizens must play a key role in program development and not just 
act as "foot soldiers to carry out decisions reached by 
international donors." 
 
¶2.  (U) The Special Advisor to the President on International 
Affairs, Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr., made a brief address in support of the 
committee and said the President's office is planning a roundtable 
and a consortium of CSOs. (Note: Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr. is the son of the 
famed Nigerian environmental activist from the Delta, Ken Saro-Wiwa 
Sr., who was executed in 1995 by the then military government for 
alleged involvement in the killing of four tribal leaders.  End 
Note.)  House Speaker Dimeji Bankole announced plans for the House 
to amend the National Planning Act in order to make it more 
effective and responsive to the nation's needs.  The Speaker echoed 
Ukeje's criticism of the current system saying, "people who make the 
decisions concerning projects and needs are too far removed from the 
people who should benefit from them.' 
 
¶3. (U) HOUSE SUSPENDS A REPRESENTATIVE: On February 26, the House of 
Representatives suspended Representative Independence Ogunewe (PDP, 
Imo State) for fourteen legislative days, removed him from his 
position as Chairman of the House Committee on Cooperation and 
Integration in Africa, and prohibited his membership on any 
additional committees.  He was suspended for disorderly conduct 
during a plenary session. Press reports indicate that he was moving 
about the room conversing with colleagues and when repeatedly asked 
to take his seat said, "I have heard you" and walked out of the 
chamber.  Ogunewe was recently named by the House Committee on 
Ethics and Privileges as one of five lawmakers who circulated 
documents alleging that House leadership had abused their authority 
to award a contract for the 2.3 billion naira (USD 15.6 million) 
purchase of 380 Peugeot 407 cars.  As reported in 'Punch' newspaper 
on February 18, the Committee said these five individuals had 
deliberately attempted to misinform the public.  The full report is 
expected from the committee next week. 
 
¶4. (U) LAND USE ACT TO BE LIBERALIZED: It was announced on February 
22 that President Yar'Adua had forwarded a bill to the National 
Assembly to amend the Land Use Act to relax the requirements for a 
state governor's consent for land transactions.  The amendments will 
make such consent unnecessary for mortgages, subleases, and other 
transfers to make transactions less difficult and promote economic 
growth.  Land assignments will still need gubernatorial approval. 
 
 
ABUJA 00000483  002 OF 004 
 
 
--------------------- 
STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS 
--------------------- 
¶5. (U) KANO STATE REVIEWS MOTORCYCLE TAXI REGULATIONS: The Kano 
State Government announced that it has set up a committee to review 
"okada" (motorcycle taxi) operations in the state.  According to 
local press reports, the committee is expected to determine 
appropriate road signs, come up with penalties, and implement 
registration of commercial operators.  Reportedly, protests in 2008 
following the enforcement of a ban on transporting female passengers 
on okadas delayed the State from further restricting their use. 
 
¶6. (U) "CULTIST" KILLINGS ON RISE IN EDO: According to press 
reports, at least 12 people were killed around Edo State in the week 
ending February 28, including an individual reputed to be an aide to 
the Deputy Governor.  The Deputy Governor's Chief Press Secretary 
denied any professional relationship with the victim.  A spokesman 
for the Edo State Police Command, while acknowledging a trend, 
maintained that there were "only six cultists-related killings" 
including four men and two women. 
 
¶7. (U) OYO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION UPHELD: On March 17, the Court of 
Appeal sitting in Ibadan upheld the election of Governor Adebayo 
Alao-Akala by dismissing the three appeals filed by opposition 
parties the All Nigeria Peoples Part (ANPP), the Republican Party of 
Nigeria (RPN) and the National Democratic Party (NDP).  The court 
held that the filing was late and that the exhibits were not 
properly certified. 
 
----------- 
Oil and Gas 
----------- 
¶8.  (SBU) SHELL FIRES 9 NIGERIAN PIPELINE AND SPILL RESPONSE 
ENGINEERS:  On February 15, Shell Petroleum Development Corporation 
fired nine Nigerian pipeline and spill response engineers for 
reasons it refused to disclose.  Local press speculated the firings 
were in response to an explosion that killed several Shell staff and 
contractors working to repair a vandalized crude oil pipeline in 
Delta State. (ref A 08Lagos 505). 
 
----------- 
Niger Delta 
----------- 
9.(U) No Americans were involved in incidents in the Delta. 
 
¶10. (SBU) AGIP WORKER ACCIDENTALLY SHOT BY JTF SOLDIER: On February 
25 an oilfield worker on an Aero Contractors helicopter was shot. 
Initial reports were that the helicopter, under contract to Agip, 
came under fire from militants while operating near the Ogbainbiri 
and Tebidaba oil facilities in Bayelsa State.  However, a senior 
Shell logistics contact reported on February 28, that the injury was 
the result of an accidental weapons discharge by a Joint Task Force 
(JTF) soldier inside the helicopter.  According to the contact, Aero 
and Agip have temporarily banned JTF soldiers from their 
helicopters. 
 
¶11. (U) BAYELSA'S NEMBE FLOW STATION, YENAGOA AGIP TERMINAL HIT: On 
February 18, the Nembe Flow Station in Bayelsa State was attacked by 
armed men according to the press.  No hostages were taken and there 
were no report of injuries or damage.  On February 21, the Agip 
terminal in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State was attacked.  There were no 
injuries or damage to the facility according to the local press. 
Press reports also indicate that on February 24 a Russian oil tanker 
was attacked by armed men in speed boats; the tanker managed to 
outrun the attackers.  No injuries or damage were reported. 
 
¶12. (U) DELTA POLITICO'S DAUGHTER KIDNAPPED: According to the media, 
the daughter of a Delta State government official was kidnapped 
February 19 in Asaba, Delta State.  The motives appear to have been 
criminal. 
 
 
ABUJA 00000483  003 OF 004 
 
 
-------------------------- 
Economic and Business News 
-------------------------- 
¶13. (SBU) AIR TRAFFIC STRIKE ABORTED: Nigerian press reported on 
February 22 that the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers 
(NAAE) would lead a strike over salary disparity and pay arrears on 
February 26.  After negotiations between the Ministry of Aviation 
and the workers, the strike was called off on February 25. 
 
14.(SBU) NO CONTAINER SHIP SLOTS AVAILABLE UNTIL MID-APRIL: As a 
temporary solution to clear congestion at the ports, the Nigerian 
Port Authority (NPA) announced on February 20 that it would not 
accept new ship entry applications for container vessels to berth at 
Lagos ports until mid-April.  The NPA is considering diverting 
vessels already approved for Lagos to other Nigerian ports.  Doug 
Smith, Director of Terminal Operations, APM Terminals Apapa Ltd., 
told EconOff on February 26 that terminal operators do not believe 
this suspension will alleviate the congestion and that terminal 
operators will face periods of idle berths while vessels sit at 
anchor offshore, Smith said.  Douglas Berkheiser, Maersk Supply 
Services, told EconOff Feb 27 that Maersk is lobbying the Minister 
of Transportation to reverse the decision to suspend applications. 
(Comment: Costs to terminal operators from having idle berths will 
be significant.  The NPA's sudden announcement speaks to the ad-hoc 
nature at which the authorities are going about solving the issue of 
port congestion.  End Comment) 
 
¶15. (U) GON REORGANIZES THREE AVIATION PARASTATALS: The Director of 
the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Dr. H. O. Demuren told 
EconOff on February 20 that the Government of Nigeria (GON), in an 
attempt to improve service delivery and performance, is in the 
process of reorganizing and restructuring the three parastatals 
under its umbrella: the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), 
the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal 
Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).  Under the reform plan, the 
Managing Director of NAMA has been replaced by Alhaji Ibrahim Auyo. 
In addition, eleven directors from the three parastatals are to be 
redeployed within the government and new directors are being named. 
Demuren is hopeful that the reforms will result in improved service 
delivery and performance. 
 
¶16. (U) GON EARMARKS N250 BILLION TO HELP NIGERIAN FARMERS: 
According to media reports, the GON has earmarked N250 billion 
(roughly USD 1.7 billion) in its 2009 budget to help Nigerian 
farmers increase their productivity and cope with the effects of the 
global economic slowdown.  The grant will be administered by the 
Central Bank of Nigeria and is expected to enhance food security in 
the short term. 
 
¶17. (U) NIGERIA, RSA CONSULT ON GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURN: On 
February 24, Nigeria and South Africa formally inaugurated a 
10-person Joint Presidential Advisory Council on Investment (JPACI). 
 The council's members are drawn from both the public and private 
sector and will be advising the leaders of the two countries in 
tackling the effects of the global economic slowdown.  In a joint 
press conference, Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan and 
South African Deputy President Baleka Mbete stated that the two 
countries will pursue economic recovery through business cooperation 
and investment promotion. 
 
------ 
HEALTH 
------ 
¶18. (U) NIGERIAN HOUSE OF REPRESETATIVES CALLS FOR EMERGENCY ACTION 
ON OUTBREAK OF LASSA FEVER AND MENINGITIS: Nigerian media have 
reported that close to 300 people, including 5 medical doctors 
(reportedly infected while treating patients) have died from 
outbreaks of Lassa fever and meningitis in various states.  On March 
25, the House of Representatives adopted a motion calling for 
emergency action on the outbreak of the two diseases.  Widespread 
ignorance about the diseases, poor personal hygiene, and the absence 
 
ABUJA 00000483  004 OF 004 
 
 
of community-based detection, warning and diagnosis centers are 
identified as main challenges to halting the outbreaks.  The U.S. 
Center for Disease Control (CDC) is assisting the Ministry of Health 
in investigating and evaluating treatment responses. 
 
¶19. (U) U.S. FUNDED AVIAN INFLUENZA LABORATORY INAUGURATED: On 
February 13, Ambassador Sanders and GON Minister of Health, Prof. 
Babatunde Oshotimehin, jointly commissioned a state-of-the-art avian 
influenza diagnostic laboratory located in Asokoro District 
Hospital, Abuja.  The laboratory will strengthen Nigeria's 
diagnostic and intervention capacity against the global threat of an 
avian influenza pandemic. 
SANDERS