Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 36

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Assures Expatriates, Nigerians of Security in Niger Delta

Expatriates and local oil workers have been told not to panic over alleged claims by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that it killed 29 military personnel in a combat between it and the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) on Saturday, August 30. The JTF said that there was no clash whatsoever between the military troops and militants on that day or in recent time.

Kidnapped Israeli Regain Freedom

After five days of being held hostage, an Israeli, Ehud Avni, abducted from his house in Port Harcourt was, Sunday, August 31, released by his kidnappers. Israel's Ambassador to Nigeria, Moshe Ram said that no ransom was paid. The kidnappers had earlier asked for a $12 million ransom for his release.

Douglas, Militant Leader Arrested

A suspected militant leader, Comrade Douglas, operating in Bayelsa State, has been arrested by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF). He is currently being detained at a Military base in Warri, Delta State. His arrest could trigger reprisal attacks. Douglas was responsible for the recent attacks on the Diobu creek facilities of the Shell.

Protests at NDDC Office in Port Harcourt

Security was, Thursday, strengthened at the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt when placard-carrying youths stormed the place to protest against the alleged patronage of a juju priest by the suspended Chairman, Amb. Sam Edem. The security men blocked the entrance to the NDDC office, to prevent the protesting youths from invading the place. The youths, who were mainly from Delta State, came under the aegis of the Association of Unemployed Youths.

Crashed Aircraft’s Black Box Missing

The authorities of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday said the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Recorder (CPR) also known as the “black box” of the crashed Wings Aviation aircraft are yet to be located. The plane was found in the mountainous area of Busi in Obanliku LGA of Cross River State, penultimate Saturday by some hunters. He said the security of the crash site had been put under the combined supervision of the LG authority and the Nigeria Police.

10 Arrested, 6 Missing in Communal Conflict

Ten persons have been arrested by security operatives from Eastern Obolo LGA in Akwa Ibom State, over a recent destruction of over 500 houses, with 12 people feared killed. Chairman of the council, Mr Francis Charles Uduyork said that six people are still missing.

LNG: American Admits Bribing Nigerian Officials

A former executive of Houston-based Global Engineering, Construction and Services Company, Albert Stanley, has pleaded guilty to bribing Nigerian officials in order to secure contracts to build Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in Bonny Island. Stanley admitted before the United States (US) District Court in Houston, Texas, that he paid $182 million in bribe to secure engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts thereby violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the Justice Department said.

JTF Battles Gunmen

The Joint Task Force (JTF) and gunmen were locked in gun battle for about 4 hours at the coastal enclave of Nembe in Bayelsa state over alleged attempts by the latter to invade the military base.  It was learnt that the botched invasion was orchestrated by the militants to discourage the planned fact finding visits of the Senate Committee on Army and the Chief of Defence Staff, Paul Dike to the state. The proposed visit was in response to a motion by at the senate calling for the withdrawal of the military. But chiefs from the area have opposed this alleging that their withdrawal could plunge the area into anarchy.

FG Approves Oil and Gas Trade Fair Centre for PH

The Federal Government has finally granted Rivers State the chairmanship of the newly established premier Oil and Gas International Trade Centre in Port Harcourt. A steering committee to midwife the oil and gas international trade centre has been named. The committee is mandated to build a functional centre for Nigeria.

Security Breach: JTF Arrests American

Joint Task Force (JTF) in Rivers State has arrested an American said to be a film maker and journalist, Mr. Andy Berends, and his Nigerian aide caught filming an operational area of the Force at Nembe waterside in Port Harcourt. Spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said that the man did not take any permission before filming the sensitive area.

US Firm to Build $100m Refinery in Abia

A United States-based firm, Nevada Petroleum Resources Limited, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Abia State Government, to build a refinery in the state at the cost of $100 million, with capacity to refine 20,000 barrels per day. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Hart, said the refinery was expected to come on stream within 24 months.

MEND: DHQ Threatens Legal Action against Media

The Defence Headquarters has threatened to seek legal redress against any media organisation that publishes false or unsubstantiated reports on its activities or operations. It also accused the media of being on the payroll of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). There were reports last week that MEND attacked the JTF, which resulted in casualties on both sides, but the JTF denies any such attacks.

Shell Pioneers 4D Seismic Acquisition in Nigeria

Shell Nigeria Petroleum Company (SNEPCo) has recorded a milestone with the deployment of a 4D seismic acquisition in its deepwater field, the first in Nigeria. Seismic acquisition is the act of taking images of sub-surface to determine the location of oil in the reservoir.

Partner Raises Hope on Brass LNG

French oil major, Total, says the Final Investment Decision (FDI) on Nigeria's $8.5 billion Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project will be taken next year. Jean-Marc Hosanski, senior vice president of Total's LNG business, who stated this at an oil and gas conference in Norway, recently, also gave 10 million tonnes per year as Brass LNG's capacity. The plant will use ConocoPhillips's Optimised Cascade Process.

Ogonis Seek Participation In Oil Well Allocation

Following government's pronouncement on the troubled Ogoni oil wells belonging to Shell, the company and the indigenes of the oil rich community have urged government to dialogue with them before the wells are allocated to another company. This, according to them, would help lay to rest grievances of the past.

Bad Roads: N-Delta Youths Want Berger Probed

The Leadership of the South-South Youth has called on the FG to institute a probe into “flippant excuses and neglect of road construction projects in the Niger Delta,” by Julius Berger and Gitto Construction Limited.  The group lamented the state of roads in the region, despite huge sums of money voted for them.

Reps to Probe Mobil Oil Over $8.7trn Unpaid Royalty

The House of Representatives may begin an investigation into allegations against Mobil Oil Producing Company for allegedly denying a Nigerian inventor, Dr. Clement Uwemedimo of $8.7 trillion being accumulated as royalty on his patent.  Uwemedino who invented the anti-corrosive special paint used in crude oil exploration and exploitation worldwide has accused Mobil of backing out of a patent agreement in 1980 that he would get $2 per barrel of the crude produced by the oil company, which has now accumulated to trillions.

Two-Year-Old Boy Kidnapped In Anambra

Five persons believed to be students of Anambra State University, kidnapped the two-year old son of the school’s Bursar. Four out of the five persons have been arrested, while a hunt has been mounted for the one still at large. The child was rescued same day.

Host Communities Protest Award of Contracts to Foreign Firms

About 13 host communities to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State, Tuesday, protested the decision of the multinational oil firm to award the contract for the maintenance of the FPSO (Sea Eagle) in the firm’s E.A. field to an overseas company, Dorman-Long (Nig) Engineering when they are more than enough qualified indigenous contractors from the communities to handle the jobs.

Shell to Boost Oil Export Next Month

Royal Dutch Shell said, last week, that repairs on a damaged oil pipeline in the Niger Delta have made some progress. It said the repairs would enable the SPDC increase oil export by 200,000 barrels per day (bpd). Shell's Nembe Creek trunk line, at Kula in Rivers State, was sabotaged in late July, which caused Shell to declared force majeure on Bonny Light crude exports till September.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

50 Escape Death in Delta Boat Accident

About 50 passengers of a commercial boat, including women and children, on Monday cheated death at the Escravos River in Delta State when a wooden boat conveying them capsized on their way back from Ondo State. Sources said that the accident occurred when a heavy duty speed boat passed the ill fated boat and the strong waves generated overturned it. However, the traders lost their goods, amounting to millions of naira

Delta, Rivers Task Chevron on Operation in Niger Delta

In a move aimed at fostering cooperation relating to the issue of oil and gas, the Rivers and Delta States' government have parleyed with Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL). Specifically, the states' governments stated that this alliance would allow the oil company to operate smoothly in oil producing communities. The states applauded the Corporate Social Responsibility of Chevron towards their community, urging the oil company to maintain its laudable initiatives.

JTF Puts Men on Alert in Delta, Bayelsa

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger-Delta has placed its troops in Delta and Bayelsa states on the alert following intelligence reports that militants are planning fresh attack on oil installations in both states. A group in Bayelsa State, the Pennington-Dodo-Ramos Salvation Front (Pendora), gave Chevron-Texaco Oil Nigeria Limited and Shell a 14-day ultimatum to sign Memorandum of Understanding with their host communities or it would partner with freedom fighters to carry out attacks on the companies.

JTF Arrests Journalists in Delta

Some journalists who were in Delta State under the auspices of the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) on Tuesday to inspect the gas flaring by the SPDC at its Otorogun Gas Plant in Ughelli area were arrested by security agents at the company for allegedly entering the place without permission. They were, however, released on the directive of Brigadier-General Rimtip after several hours in detention. The JTF claimed that some security officers working for Shell gave the wrong impression that the Journalists were militants. Meanwhile, the Warri Chapel of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) on Thursday demanded a written apology from Shell over the incident within 72 hours.

NNPC, Exxon Mobil Sign Agreement on Gas-To-Liquid Petrol Project

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Exxon Mobil have signed an agreement to establish a natural gas-to-liquid petroleum plant in Nigeria. NNPC authorities said that the project would use the latest technology to convert gas to liquid for petrol, which would eventually reduce the nation's importation of petrol.

Murder: Police Quiz UNIBEN Staff, Arrests Suspects

The Police in Edo state, last week, stormed the premises of the University of Benin for the interrogation of staff of the university on the circumstances that led to the killing of the Deputy Registrar, Dr. John Ighodaro, recently. The Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Ogboi, said some persons have been arrested.

Taskforce Seizes 10m Litres Of Crude

As the war against illegal oil activities in the Niger-Delta intensifies; the Joint Task Force (JTF) during the week arrested 20 barges and uncovered an outlet in Warri, Delta State, where petroleum products from illegal refineries were being sold. The JTF media co-ordinator, Lt-Col Rabe Abubakar, estimated the capacity of the seized vessels at about 9, 900, 000 litres of crude oil.  Nine suspects were arrested.

Why Govt Adopts Natural Gas As Car Fuel In Nigeria

The Minister of State for Energy, Mr. Olatunde Odusina, said that Government took the decision to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative source of energy in the country to combat the crises faced from unavailability of petroleum products and the sky rocketing prices amidst the much worrisome effect of exhaust emission in the society.

Man Sets Sister Ablaze For Rejecting Trip to Italy for Prostitution

A man, Ahmed Okoro Evbohon, in Benin City, Edo state, is on the run for allegedly setting his sister ablaze because she refused to accept his demand that she goes to Italy for prostitution in order to free the family from the shackles of poverty.

Oil Producers May Compel OPEC to Cut Supply

There are indications that major oil producers may compel Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut supply when the group meets on September 9, in Vienna, Austria. This was sequel to the sharp drop in crude oil price to fall below $110 per barrel on Tuesday, after reaching a record high of $147.42 per barrel on July 11. Iran stated that OPEC may need to cut oil supplies by nearly five per cent, to balance global markets.

Bandits Kill Catholic Priest, Policemen

Armed bandits on Monday gunned down Rev. Fr. John Mark Ikpiki, a Catholic priest in Warri, Delta State. The gunmen also took away his car. The bandits who killed him were also believed to have shot dead two policemen at Orhumwhorun, Udu LGA.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Charge Dismissed Police Officer to Court

The Ogun state Police Command has charged a fake police sergeant, who was dismissed from Zone II Lagos, three years ago, over alleged criminal activities, and four other accomplices to court. The suspects allegedly injured over eight people with guns in a raid of a local community.

Policemen Beat Reporters at AC Rally

Three reporters were, Wednesday, severely beaten by Policemen attached to a chieftain of the Action Congress in Lagos. The incident occurred while they were covering the rally of the party. However, Publicity Secretary of AC in the state, Mr Joe Igbokwe, tendered his unreserved apology over the matter, promising that the party would be responsible for their treatment. He said the action of the policemen took them by surprise.

Conman Arrested In Lagos

A suspected conman has been arrested in Lagos for extorting money from unsuspecting people. The suspect, Azeez Adio, said that he was a member of a syndicate which specialises in duping people by pretending to be strangers who missed their way. Other members of the syndicate have been picked by the police from their hide-out.

Undergraduate lady Kidnaps Sister’s Child

The police in Lagos last week arrested a university undergraduate who had allegedly connived with others to kidnap her nephew in order to get some money from her sister, a banker who resides in Lagos. The suspect, Ijia Otiro, confessed that she kidnapped her nephew because needed money.

Stakeholders to Converge Over Petroleum Products Supply

Worried by the problems associated with equitable distribution and pricing of petroleum products in the country, stakeholders in the oil and gas sector are set to converge on how best to get the problems solved.  According to the organisers, the 2008 edition of the Oil Trading, Transportation and Logistics Conference (OTL 2008) will hold between October 7 and 8, 2008 at the Civic Centre in Lagos.

Robbers Raid Bank in Lagos

Policemen in Lagos were on Monday caught napping, as a gang of armed robbers raided a bank on Agidingbi Road. The robbers had no problem raiding the bank and they escaped with their loot. The gang successfully fooled security agents on duty, posing as customers.

OPC Members Face Trial over Alleged Attempted Murder

No less than 55 members of the Oodu'a Peoples Congress (OPC) arrested last Thursday in the wake of the crisis between the group and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were on Tuesday arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ibadan. The accused persons were, however, ordered to be remanded in prison custody till September 18, 2008, when the pleas of the accused persons would be taken.

Nigeria To Produce First Ethanol Fuel Next Year

Anticipations of Nigeria on joining the ethanol fuel producing countries may be closer to reality as indications emerged that the nation would produce its first ethanol by July 2009. Approximately 1.5 million litres of ethanol per day are expected to be rolled out from the county's maiden ethanol refinery project in Arigidi-Akoko area of Ondo State in its initial stage.

Torture: Police Detain Ijebu-Ode LG Boss

The Chairman, Ijebu-Ode LG council, Mr. Mufu Oseni, was on Wednesday detained by the police at the Zone Two Area Command, Lagos, over the alleged torture of a 65-year-old man, Mr. Abayomi Oduneye, two weeks ago. Oseni reportedly ordered his aide to beat up the 65-year-old man over a disagreement, an allegation which was denied by the chairman.

GENERAL

Gas Pricing: NGA Canvasses Open Pact with IOCs

Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has made a case for open negotiation and agreement on gas pricing to encourage more investment in the sector. Though the Federal Government has fixed 40 cents as price for 1,000 standard cubic feet (SCF) of gas for Independent Power Producing (IPP) companies, indications are that the resolution may not have been reached through a consensus between the relevant government agencies and International Oil Companies (IOCs) that have the expertise and technology to develop the resource.

Oil Price Slump: Nigeria’s External Reserves Drop To $60.38bn

Nigeria’s gross external reserves dropped to $60.381 billion (about N7.065 trillion) as at August 28, a situation prompted by drop in oil prices in the international market and the declining local production. The reserves will further decline in the coming weeks following plan by federal and state governments to withdraw $5.3 billion from the excess crude account to fund the emergency power programme of the administration.

Service Chiefs Indict Nigerdock of Illegal Operations

Armed Forces helmsmen on Wednesday confirmed that some activities of Nigerdock were illegal and that other operators of private jetties in the country were guilty of operating ports and cargo clearance without license.

Investors' N70b Trapped Fund Threatens New Investment In Oil, Gas Sector

Over $600 million (about N70 billion) investors' fund trapped in government purse for about 16 months now, have threatened the growth of private investments in oil and gas business in Nigeria. Industry operators said the non-conclusion of the 2007 bid round has given a bad name to those in authority. Though the 2007 bid round is currently under investigation, the operators believe that those whose papers had been verified should be given the go-ahead to sign the production sharing contract (PSC).

Telecom Executive Jailed in US for Bribing NITEL Official

A United States district court on Tuesday, sentenced the former Managing Director of an American telecoms company, ITXC Corporation, Mr. Roger Young, to a six-month jail term for offering bribes totalling $267,468.42 to an official of the Nigeria Telecommunications Plc and two other government officials in Rwanda and Senegal.  In a related development, a former boss of a Halliburton subsidiary has pleaded guilty to bribing Nigerian government officials in a corruption scandal that overlaps with Dick Cheney's leadership of the Texas-based oilfield services conglomerate. He faces seven years imprisonment.

Acorn Oil Firm to Raise Fund through Public Offer

An indigenous oil marketing firm, Acorn Petroleum Plc, is poised to issue fresh shares anytime soon via an initial public offer (IPO). The company, at its extra-ordinary general meeting held recently, had its shareholders giving approval to the plan to raise additional capital through an IPO. The meeting took stock of the firm's private placement exercise and also deliberated on the way forward, consolidating on the huge gains of this exercise which saw Acorn Petroleum expanding its shareholder base from 36 individual and institutional shareholders to over 9,000 shareholders.

3 Die in Boat Mishap

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, last week Friday escaped death as one of the boats in his convoy capsized along in River Mariga near Bangi, headquarters of Mariga local government, killing three persons including a lawmaker in the state. The Governor was going to commission a newly-built hospital. Three suspects, believed to have been responsible for the capsizing of the boat have been arrested by the police.

FG’s N78 Billion Gas Lifeline to Boost Electricity - Experts

Experts in the power sector have hailed the N78 billion contract awarded by the Federal Government to extend the Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline, a major trunk line carrying gas from Shell and Chevron oilfields to industries and power plants across the country. James Olotu, managing director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited said the new contract would solve the gas supply problem of some power stations.

Conoil Launches New Initiative to Boost Storage Facilities

As the drive  to  improve  fuel supply and  distribution  in  the  country  builds up,  Conoil Plc, Nigeria has launched a strategic master plan to increase the company’s storage, blending and distribution capacities over the next two years. The project involves massive investment in infrastructural facilities to position the company proactively for emerging opportunities in the Industry.

Conoil Moves to Cushion Shareholders Losses at Stock Market

The executive director of Conoil, Femi Ariyo, has assured that the company’s performance so far will cushion the recent losses by shareholders at the stock exchange. Ariyo noted that the company’s investments in recent years were clearly visible in the returns from January to June this year. In the period under review, the company’s turnover appreciated by 129 percent to N75.058 billion when compared to N32.82 billion it posted during the same period in 2007.

Yar'Adua Undergoes Surgery in Saudi

President Umar Yar'Adua has been recuperating from a renal surgery in Saudi Arabia, according to reports. The President, who has been suffering from a kidney disease, had to undergo the surgical process at the King Fahd Military Hospital, Jeddah. There had been controversy about the reason for Yar'Adua's trip, which was unofficially said to be on medical grounds, or to perform the lesser hajj, as disclosed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last week. He returned to the country during the weekend.

Police Nab 27 Suspects from Niger Republic

The Police in Niger State Command have arrested 27 suspects declared wanted by the security agents in Niger Republic. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Iseghohi, who disclosed this on Wednesday stated that the suspects had been declared wanted by the authorities in their country for various crimes such as murder and armed robbery.

Okiro Orders Protection of Business Concerns across Nigeria

Mike Okiro, Inspector General of Police (IGP), has ordered the police commissioners in the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure safety of business operations in the country. Okiro charged the commissioners to improve their operational efficiency so as not to allow the few undeserved elements to obstruct commercial activities in the country.

World Bank, States to Execute N23b Rural Projects

All the 36 states of the federation will from January 2009 have access to the World Bank N23.2 billion ($200 million) community and social development project. The World Bank Task Team Leader, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, said the project would be an expansion of Local Empowerment and Environmental Management Project (LEEMP).

Minister Wants Tariffs on Tobacco Raised to Discourage Smoking

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, has clamoured for an increase in the present Tobacco tariffs to discourage smoking. The minister said the FCT Administration is already championing the modification of the law prohibiting smoking in public places in the country through the National Assembly.

Govt Names 40-Member Committee for Niger Delta

A 40-member technical committee was, Thursday, named for the Niger Delta. The Committee will "review and distill all previous reports on the Niger Delta, and come up with appropriate recommendations as the way forward. The team is headed by a former Finance Minister, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu.

Total Appoints Marraud des Grottes Senior VP, E&P Africa

The Total Group has appointed Mr. Jacques Marraud des Grottes as its Senior Vice- President (VP), Exploration and Production (E&P) Africa. Until his appointment, Mr. Marraud des Grottes was the Managing Director of Total E&P Nigeria Limited (TEPNG). He was replaced by Mr Guy Maurice.

Man, 72, Arrested With Drugs at Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a man, Salawu Tubosun, 72, who allegedly swallowed 100 wraps of substances, suspected to be heroin. He was arrested alongside two others at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

BA Workers Threaten to Disrupt Operations

Nigerian workers of British Airways (BA), who started strike action on Tuesday, have vowed to disrupt the airline's operations in Lagos and Abuja. But BA management has been meeting with the union and hopes that an agreement would be reached, to end the strike. Workers of the airline accused BA of showing unwillingness to accede to workers' request for a modification in their condition of service, and a violation of Nigeria's immigration rule by employing a Briton, to take the job of a Nigerian in its employment.

WHO: Nigeria, Dragging Polio Eradication Back

World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said that the continued presence of polio in parts of Northern Nigeria was dragging backwards the total eradication of polio in the world. The global health body said Africa and indeed the entire world were currently at risk of polio following the new outbreak of polio type-one in Nigeria.

Aid: W’Bank Seeks Removal of Restrictions

The World Bank has asked donors to remove the restrictions put on aid, to enable food get to the poor. The Bank's Managing Director, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said ending restrictions would help in bringing relief to millions who suffer from high food prices.

Donor Agencies Fund EFCC with $40 Million

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received grants totalling $40 million from various donor agencies to fund its operations, Chairperson of the Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri, has disclosed. In a related development, Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, called on the international community to assist and collaborate with the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in the fight against graft in the country.

Yobe Senator Wants N60b Bauchi Dam Project Stopped

A plan by the government to build a N60b dam across the Jama'are River in Bauchi state has been criticised by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, who declared that the dam will impoverish over two million Nigerians on the North Eastern flank of the country. Senator Lawan called on the Government to stop the planned construction.

Ministry Seals off 16 Fuel Stations in Borno

The Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry (FMCI) on Tuesday in Maiduguri Borno State sealed-off 16 fuel stations in the state for allegedly cheating unsuspecting motorists and for lack of current certfification. Leader of the team, Mallam U.M. Gwadabe, disclosed that some of the affected stations were "under measuring" flow metre pumps, making it possible for them to cheat motorists.

Internal Security, Pivotal to Economic Growth, says Abbe

Internal security is of paramount importance to the socio-economic development of any nation and as such, cannot be compromised, Minister of Interior, Maj. Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd.), has said. The minister stated this at the inauguration of the newly constituted Civil Defence, Immigration and Prisons Services Board in Abuja on Tuesday. Abbe, who inaugurated the board in his office, urged its members to ensure that they perform their duties in line with the tenets of the current administration's seven-point agenda.

UN Names Nigeria Police Officers Peace Missions' Heads

Two Nigeria Police officers, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ogunjemilusi Adeyemi, have been appointed by the United Nations (UN) as deputy heads of the world's body peace missions in Timon-Leste and Darfur. Their appointment was announced by the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Agberebi Akpoebi.

INTERNATIONAL

Output Increase: Members Divided Ahead Of OPEC Meeting

Ahead of this week's meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, Austria, member nations are divided over the proposal for increased production by the group. OPEC had penultimate Wednesday, ruled out any discussion on the agenda of the meeting that could lead to a change of its oil output. Major members of the group are rooting for discussions in favour of output increase.

China Arrests 88 in Massive Fraud Swoop

Ten central government departments, including the Ministry of Finance, "misused or embezzled" more than $US660 million ($A766 million) last year, according to a report from China's top auditor. The report said 88 people had been arrested, 14 officials had been referred for prosecution and a further 104 government employees had been punished for their roles in mismanaging or embezzling government funds.

Georgia Breaks Relations with Russia

Georgia on Friday broke diplomatic relations with Russia, heightening hostilities between the neighbours as Moscow also hit back at Western criticism. Georgia announced the split three days after Russia formally recognised the Georgian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. Russia said the move would not help ease the crisis between the two caused by their five-day war this month. Meanwhile, Russia has accused the United States (US) of stirring up instability in Georgia, after the US Vice President, Dick Cheney, landed in the region to show support for Georgia.

Scores Die In Sri Lanka, Pakistan Fighting

Several people have been reportedly killed in Sri Lanka as government forces on Tuesday pounded rebel defences with air-strikes, leaving 47 Tamil Tiger fighters and 13 soldiers dead or missing. While in Pakistan not less than 15 people including women and children were killed in a border village. But the authorities said they had no knowledge of any such attack. Pakistan has protested in the past about missile strikes on its territory, aimed at militant targets in tribal areas, but it is the first time officials have alleged a direct attack by foreign troops on its soil since 2001.

Killing Spree Leaves 6 Dead

A shooting spree in Washington left six dead and two wounded with the suspected gunman surrendering to police after a car chase. A man was arrested after he turned himself in to authorities in Mount Vernon, state trooper Keith Leary was quoted as saying.  The suspect is believed to have a mental illness. A motive for the shootings remained unclear.

13 African Migrants Die En-Route Spain

A ship carrying 46 African migrants along with the bodies of 13 others, who died on the journey, Wednesday, arrived at Spain's Canary Islands, a local government official said. Most people died from hypothermia," he told Spanish radio. A Spanish humanitarian group, the Organization for Human Rights in Andalusia (APDH-A), estimates a total of 921 would-be illegal immigrants died at sea from thirst, hunger or exposure, or in boat accidents.

Tullow Doubles Estimate for Ugandan Field's Oil Reserves

Tullow Oil has drilled another successful appraisal well on its Kingfisher prospect in Uganda and in the process doubled estimates of the field's reserves to around 200 million barrels of oil. The Kingfisher-2 well produced good quality crude at a rate of 14,364 barrels per day. This figure is at the high end of the scale -- the original discovery on Kingfisher-1 flowed a healthy 9,733 barrels per day.

Earthquake Kills 27 in China

An earthquake that hit southwest China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces killed 27 people, damaged or destroyed more than 180,000 homes and affected at least 800,000 residents. More than 350 people were injured and three others are still missing. There were no immediate reports of further damage.

Hurricane Gustav Hits US Coast

Hurricane Gustav lashed the US state of Louisiana with torrential rain and gale force winds on Sunday after forcing nearly two million people to flee. Fearing a repeat of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, hundreds of troops were sent into New Orleans for the biggest evacuation in US history. Hurricane Gustav had killed more than 80 people in Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica.

Japanese Premier Resigns

Japanese Premier, Yasuo Fukuda, Tuesday, announced his resignation. He then called for a fresh start in the country after a troubled year in power. This year has witnessed bitter fighting between Fukuda's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the opposition Democratic Party (DP). Fukuda did not immediately speak of new elections.

UN: 17 Die, As Aid Plane Crashes In Congo

The United Nations announced on Tuesday the crash of a plane carrying 17 people on a humanitarian aid flight. The crash occurred in Congo. A statement posted to the website of United States (U.S.)-based company, Air Serve International, said that an aerial survey by helicopter foreclosed the possibility of survivors.