Current Situation:
“Warning Strikes”
The Federal Government is being faced with multiple ultimatums from the medical and petroleum sectors, which are to commence “warning strikes” throughout the next week.
- On Friday April 6, doctors employed by the Lagos State Government, supported by the Medical Guild, announced the planning of a strike from April 11-April 13, to press their demands for the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale, which was to address the doctors’ grievances of excessive taxation. As opposed to addressing this grievance, medical staff claim their taxes were in fact raised instead of lowered. According to the statements by the doctors, all services will be withdrawn by its members, and in-patients may be transferred to hospitals in neighboring states. Furthermore, if demands are not met by the end of the month, doctors are threatening to partake in indefinite strike action.
- On Sunday April 1, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) declared a three-day strike from April 16-April 18, to protest unfair labor practices, anti-union activities, in addition to the overall insecurity of their members at places of employment and homes. The strike will take place nation-wide, and PENGASSAN spokesmen announced they will assess the government response to their strike, and if unsatisfied, may enter into an indefinite strike.
Niger Delta Petroleum
Militants continue to threaten petroleum operations and infrastructure throughout the Niger Delta region.
- On April 10, members of the Third Phase Amnesty group issued a threat that it intends to attack oil infrastructure in the southern Niger Delta. This threat arose in response to the continued dispute between “ex-militants” and the Federal Government over the former’s inclusion in the amnesty program of 2009. The group issued a seven-day ultimatum to begin payments of entitlements in accordance with the amnesty program, after which they will embark on a campaign to disrupt oil production in the Delta region. The Joint Military Task Force has reportedly dismissed the threat, citing several measures already in place to ensure the stability of the petroleum industry. According to the Coordinator of the Federal Amnesty Program, Kingsley Kuku, many militants agreed to lay down arms only after the amnesty window had closed, and therefore need to find alternative methods.
- On April 3, a Niger Delta youth leader, Alabo James, claimed the seizure of three tugboats which belonged to Shell Petroleum Development Company in protest of the lack of electricity supply to communities in the Delta. The boats were released, however, along with a veiled threat that should this grievance go un-addressed, groups may begin to take over certain waterways throughout the Delta to disrupt operations.
- The aforementioned is carried out amid reports that pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal refineries are all on the rise throughout the Niger Delta.
Boko Haram – Militancy
- On April 7 – Easter Sunday – a car bombing was carried out on Junction Street in the city of Kaduna, killing at least 36 people and injuring 13 others. According to local reporting, the driver of the vehicle attempt to reach the ECWA Goodnews Church on Gwari Road, however, the church security hindered the vehicles entry, forcing its detonation in the nearby Junction street.
Road Travel
- The International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law has alerted police authorities about the emergence of police roadblocks where security forces are extorting money from travelers.
- The reestablishment of the roadblocks were initiated due to the persistent security threat along roads throughout the nation, where armed bandits frequently stage roadside robberies and kidnappings, especially in southern states in the Niger Delta region.
Assessments and Recommendations:
