Nigeria First (Abuja)
4 June 2008
Abuja — President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua on Wednesday June 4 in Cape Town, South Africa, told the Nigerian Community that by the end of the year, another oil operator will take over Shell Petroleum's interests in Ogoni, nea Port Harcourt in Rivers state.
President Yar'Adua said it was clear that "there is a total loss of confidence between Shell and the Ogoni people", and so "another operator acceptable to the Ogonis" will take over, adding that "nobody is gaining from the conflict and stalemate, so this is the best solution".
The President said agreements have already been reached for the compensation to be paid by Shell for the environmental degradation arising from the spillage of crude petroleum resulting from their operations.
The President, responding to the concerns of Nigerians in South Africa about the shabby treatment by other nations, especially regarding issuance of visas, said the issue had been taken up at the highest level with the South African government, assuring all Nigerians that such issues "will be treated firmly".
He, however challenged Nigerians "to project a good image of the country in all their activities", in order to attract respect from other nations.
President Yar'Adua assured the Nigerians in Cape Town that the Administration would protect all Nigerians in all circumstances, adding that the Ministry of Transport was looking at the incident of maltreatment of Nigerians by the British Airways, and expressed the "hope that sanctions would be applied", if found necessary.
He also said it was erroneous for the rising price of crude oil to be blamed on crisis in Iraq, Venezuela and Nigeria, attributing the situation to increasibg energy demands by strong emerging economies, as well as the activities of speculators.
President Yar'Adua briefed them on the Government's determination to focus on the development of "economic growth enablers", which will trigger the Nigerian economy towards irreversible development. "If we pay urgent attention to power supply, iron and steel, petroleum and cement, all other sectors will pick up", he stated.
He challenged all Nigerians all over the world to identify with, and join this national vision for the country to attain the 20-20-20 vision.
President Yar'Adua earlier co-chaired a Nigeria-South Africa Business Forum, with President Thabo Mbeki.
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