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Amnesty International - Urgent Appeal on forced evictions in Port Harcourt

Demolition crews arrived in Njemanze community with bulldozers to begin work on 28 August, accompanied by police and soldiers. According to UN-HABITAT, some 45,000 people live in the two settlements being targeted,

Njemanze and Abonnema Wharf, in the capital of Rivers State, Port Harcourt. Thousands of those living in both settlements are at risk of forced evictions. Some have lived there for 15 years or longer. Many of those facing forced eviction claim the state government's consultation on the planned evictions was not adequate. The governor of Rivers state has announced he will compensate only the owners and not the tenants or owners of buildings constructed without permission. The people who live there have received no adequate alternative housing.

The waterfront is one of the most densely populated areas of Port Harcourt. The state governor has repeatedly stated that demolitions along the waterfront are "to sanitize and check criminal activities." The government is obliged to carry out evictions only as a last resort, and never as a punitive measure. They must explore all feasible alternatives to evictions, and avoid or minimise the use of force.

The inhabitants of Njamanze and Abonnema will be evicted, according to UN-HABITAT, to make way for a development called "Silverbird Showtime." A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rivers State Government and the company Silverbird Ltd agrees to ensure "peaceful evacuation and relocation of present occupants."

The Rivers State government have not followed their own Physical Planning and Development Law 2003. Under this law, they should have established an "Urban Renewal Board," which would have declared the waterfront communities an "improvement area," for which it would have prepared an improvement plan. This law also requires the government to provide alternative housing for all the occupants affected. They have done none of this.

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Guardian: Outrage at UN decision to exonerate Shell for oil pollution in Niger delta - Mon, 23 Aug 2010

A three-year investigation by the United Nations will almost entirely exonerate Royal Dutch Shell for 40 years of oil pollution in the Niger delta, causing outrage among communities who have long campaigned to force the multinational to clean up its spills and pay compensation.

VOA: Nigeria’s Rivers State Government Denies it Plans to Evict Thousands of Slum Dwellers in Port Harcourt - Wed, 18 Aug 2010

In Nigeria, the government of Rivers State says it has no plans to evict thousands of its citizens so it can develop a waterfront property.

Amnesty: Human rights defender beaten unconscious at police check point - Tue, 17 Aug 2010

Amnesty International today condemned the unlawful assault of Sebastian Kpalap, a human rights defender and his brother-in law, Sunday Pilla and urged the Nigerian authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the incident. The men were brutally assaulted after refusing to pay a bribe to an officer at a police checkpoint in Rivers state, Nigeria.

Amnesty: Father of Human Rights defender attacked - Tue, 17 Aug 2010

Oliver Igwe, the 77-year-old father of Nigerian human rights defender Leo Igwe, was attacked in his home by unidentified men, causing him to lose an eye. The police have refused to investigate the incident, which is believed to be linked to the Igwe family’s campaign for justice for a rape survivor. The family is at risk of further reprisals if the authorities do not protect them.

This Day: NBA, Civil Society Push for April Poll - Thu, 12 Aug 2010

In a surprise move, the Nigeria Bar Association yesterday joined fourteen civil society groups demanding for the suspension of Sections 132 and 178 of the amended 1999 Constitution, recommending that the relevant portions take effect from 2015.

234Next.com: Lawmakers add N4bn to NDDC budget - Thu, 12 Aug 2010

The National Assembly, yesterday, passed the 2010 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission, adding N4bn to the requested sum and renaming the N90m earlier billed for "staff marriage".

Sun News: Crisis in Rivers PDP: 12 Odili’s men docked - Thu, 12 Aug 2010

The crisis in Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) assumed a new dimension on Tuesday as 12 members of one of the factions were dragged to court for unlawful assembly.

Vanguard: Police arrest Opara, ex-Dep Speaker, others - Thu, 12 Aug 2010

ABUJA - INDICATIONS are rife that the end has not come over the present political imbroglio in the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following the arrest of former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara and other members yesterday by the Police over what was alleged as an illegal meeting.

Nigerian Guardian: At Port Harcourt waterfronts, fear thrives - Mon, 26 Jul 2010

ANXIETY over imminent demolition grows, as communities want government to consider their plight.

Champion: Mobil Officials Visit Oil Spill Site in Ibeno - Fri, 23 Jul 2010

Lagos — Officials of Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) at the Qua Iboe Oil Export Terminal in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom, have visited areas affected by Monday's oil spill.

Communities near the oil facility operated by the oil company have recorded four oil spills in the past six months.

The spills occurred on Dec. 4, 2009, March 24, May 1, and June 21.

Locals have appealed to NOSDRA to restrain Mobil from using chemical dispersants to contain oil spills, noting that the poisonous chemical kills fish fingerlings.

Tell Exxon's CEO to clean up their oil spills in the Niger Delta! - Fri, 23 Jul 2010

Join Justice in Nigeria Now in supporting Niger Delta communities' call for an environmental impact assessment of the damage caused by these spills; ongoing monitoring; environmental remediation; and an inclusive process to compensate impacted villagers, address ways to improve oil companies' operations in Nigeria, and reduce the likelihood of future spills.

BBC: Nigeria denies state oil firm NNPC bankrupt - Thu, 22 Jul 2010

The Nigerian government has strongly denied claims that the state oil company is bankrupt, shortly after a junior minister said it was insolvent.

New global standard for corporate transparency in energy sector - Fri, 16 Jul 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 15, 2010 — The Senate gave final approval today to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act with a landmark provision requiring energy and mining companies registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to disclose how much they pay to foreign countries and the U.S. government for oil, gas, and minerals.

The Nation: Civil Society Groups demand for oil spill compensation - Fri, 16 Jul 2010

Environmental Rights Groups have raised serious concerns about oil spills in the Niger Delta. The groups made up of leading local and international human, children and environmental rights groups have insisted on the need for the establishment of an independent compensation body to address oil spill challenges in the Niger Delta region.

Sweetcrude: Vanguard's monthly review of the Nigerian Energy Industry - Mon, 12 Jul 2010

Packed with industry news, coupled with news of oil spills and the political and administrative challenges faced by the Oil Sector and Government Agencies this is a must-read for those wanting to understand perspecives from the official angle.

AllAfrica: Oil Spill - We've Failed, Says Shell - Thu, 8 Jul 2010

For the first time, oil giant Shell yesterday admitted that oil companies are not doing enough to deal with oil spills in their areas of operation.

Fox News Video: Oil Pollution in Niger Delta - Tue, 6 Jul 2010

The coverage of the Deepwater Horizon disaster has brought the plight of other areas affected by oil spills to light.  Particularly one location, far from the Gulf of Mexico, where residents say, they feel forgotten.

Vanguard: Oil spill: Shell to pay N15.4bn - Tue, 6 Jul 2010

ASABA— A FEDERAL High Court, yesterday, awarded N15.4billion as special and punitive damages against Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, in favour of Ejama-Ebubu community in Tai Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State for an oil spill that occurred in 1970.

CNN video: Nigerians angry at oil pollution double standards - Fri, 2 Jul 2010

Niger Delta, Nigeria (CNN) -- Nigeria's Niger Delta is one of the most oil-polluted places on the planet with more than 6,800 recorded oil spills, accounting for anywhere from 9 million to 13 million barrels of oil spilled, according to activist groups.

All Africa: Fishing Communities Lament Oil Spill in Akwa Ibom - Fri, 2 Jul 2010

Uyo — As Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), an affiliate of US oil firm ExxonMobil confirmed another oil spill at its Qua Iboe oil fields in Akwa Ibom state fishermen and several communities affected by the spill have continued to express their disgust and anguish over what they term as cessation of their economic livelihood.