Andnetwork: Nigerian militia demand US$1.5 billion penalty for Shell pollution: Wednesday, 18 January 2006 

By AND network Journalist

Nigeria militia holding four foreign oil workers have demanded 1.5 billion US dollars from the Royal Dutch Shell to be paid to the Bayelsa state as penalty for polluting the Niger Delta. The militia calling itself the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta also demanded the release of their leader, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and complete control of the Delta's oil wealth in return for the hostages. They have given the Nigerian government 48 hours to comply. President olusegun Obasanjo has since set up a presidential committee to handle the demands.

The four hostages - an American, a Briton, a Bulgarian and a Honduran - said, in what Reuters said appeared to be prepared statements, that they were being treated well, but that any military intervention or rescue operation could cost them their lives.

The kidnappers have staged a series of attacks on oil pipelines, platforms and workers over the past three weeks, denting supply from the world's eighth-largest exporter and driving up world prices.

The violence has prompted Royal Dutch Shell to evacuate 330 workers from four of its oil platforms in Nigeria. The company is considering more withdrawals amid uncertainty over where the militants will strike next, a senior oil industry source told Reuters.

Two attacks last week hit Nigeria's oil output by 226,000 barrels a day and analysts say that if production continues to be disrupted it could push up world oil prices.

The hostage-takers have demand local control of the Niger Delta's oil wealth, payment of 1,5-billion dollars by Royal Dutch Shell to the Bayelsa state government to compensate for pollution, and the release of three men including two ethnic Ijaw leaders, one of the hostages told the new agency over the phone.

 A.N.D/ Agencies 

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