Unions mull withdrawal from Nigerian oil delta

LAGOS – Nigerian oil unions will withdraw from oilfields and export terminals in the Niger Delta if the face-off between hostage-taking militants and security forces persists and security worsens, a union leader said on Friday.

NUPENG union leader Peter Akpatason said oil workers will be recalled as soon as it became clear that their security could no longer be guaranteed. “So long as it is safe, we will continue to work because we have no problem with our employers.But if it becomes clear that our safety can no longer be guaranteed, we will ask all our members to stay at home,” Akpatason said.He said Royal Dutch Shell has already evacuated workers from the Benisede oilfield, which was attacked by ethnic militants last week.Shell closed Benisede and three other flow stations after a pipeline bombing on January 11.An industry source said Shell has withdraw about 520 workers from the troubled-region.Hundreds more oil contractors have also fled after the attack, which intelligence sources estimated killed at least a dozen soldiers.Akpatason said no union member has so far been reported killed since militants, asking for the release of two Ijaw leaders and control over oil wealth, began a campaign of sabotage and kidnapping a month ago.The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, whose month-long campaign has cut a tenth of Nigeria’s oil production, has also threatened to intensify its attacks, raising fears that insecurity could worsen in the region.- Nampa-Reuters”So long as it is safe, we will continue to work because we have no problem with our employers.But if it becomes clear that our safety can no longer be guaranteed, we will ask all our members to stay at home,” Akpatason said.He said Royal Dutch Shell has already evacuated workers from the Benisede oilfield, which was attacked by ethnic militants last week.Shell closed Benisede and three other flow stations after a pipeline bombing on January 11.An industry source said Shell has withdraw about 520 workers from the troubled-region.Hundreds more oil contractors have also fled after the attack, which intelligence sources estimated killed at least a dozen soldiers.Akpatason said no union member has so far been reported killed since militants, asking for the release of two Ijaw leaders and control over oil wealth, began a campaign of sabotage and kidnapping a month ago.The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, whose month-long campaign has cut a tenth of Nigeria’s oil production, has also threatened to intensify its attacks, raising fears that insecurity could worsen in the region.- Nampa-Reuters