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SDN Newsroom

SDN staff are in the Niger Delta working directly with communities affected by the conflict and the social and environmental issues related to the extraction of Oil and Gas. We also work at the international level with Amnesty International and others trying to make a difference to the people of the Delta. Read the latest news as highlighted by SDN here.

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SDN staff are on the ground in Nigeria and will be updating this area regularly...

(For interviews or more information please contact + 44 (0) 7966755751)

SDN: President and National Assembly must restore April election dates - Wed, 8 Sep 2010

Sakeholder Democracy Network in its monthly news brief has called on President Johnathan and the National Assembly to immediately support calls for elections to be restored to their original date of April.

The Nation: My 2011 headache, by Jega - Tue, 7 Sep 2010

The major headache of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the 2011 general elections is time, its chair, Prof. Attahiru Jega has said.

New York Times: Academic Tackles Chaos of Elections in Nigeria - Tue, 7 Sep 2010

ABUJA, Nigeria — Sometime in the next five months, Nigeria will probably have a presidential election.

AllAfrica.com: UN Body Apologises Over Claims on Ogoni Oil Spills - Tue, 7 Sep 2010

Port Harcourt — The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) involved in investigating the extent of oil spills in Ogoniland has apologised for what it called a mistake on the part of one of its officials who relied on the Federal Government figures on the causes of spills to pass a judgment on the issue.

234Next.com: UN agency under fire for exonerating Shell - Tue, 7 Sep 2010

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has denied allegations that its three-year investigation into decades of oil pollution in the Niger Delta will exonerate Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the Dutch oil giant operating in the region.

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.