Constant attacks on oil production facilities by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have worsened Nigeria’s economic woes and standard of living; crippling almost everything from oil production and export operations to power. But it’s not just Nigeria that is feeling the heat, neighbouring countries like Ghana are beginning to face certain challenges as a result of these attacks.
Speaking at an Eid-el-fitr ceremony in Ghana this week, Ghanaian president, John Mahama, blamed the recent fitful power cuts in his country on Nigeria’s delay in the delivery of crude oil to power stations in Ghana. Apparently, the renewed militancy and attacks by the NDA has resulted in a massive shortfall in electricity production both in Nigeria and Ghana.
“We have recently suffered some generational problems. I held a stakeholder meeting with all those involved in the power sector. Because of sabotage in Nigeria on the terminals, crude oil that we ordered last month has not arrived; and so, it has created some generational problem for us,” said Mahama.
Mahama’s complaints come after a triple attack on oil installations used by Chevron on Wednesday night. In a statement by its spokesperson, the NDA claimed responsibility for the attacks saying, “Between the hours of 10:50pm and 11:10 pm, our strike team blew up Chevron manifolds. The manifolds are RMP 22, 23 and 24.”
However, it does seem like President Mahama may have a plan(s) to salvage the power situation in Ghana, having assured his countrymen that things will soon be back to normal as steps are being taken to ensure energy security in Ghana. Although he didn’t state it, Mahama might be referring to his country’s nuclear ambition to build its first nuclear power plant in the next 4 years. One that has been predicted to be fully operational in 2025.
From every indication, Nigeria’s economic woes are set to continue as the NDA group has resumed from its momentary ‘ceasefire’ in the month of June. Worse still, they have upgraded to using high calibre and sophisticated weaponry like controlled explosives. President Buhari has also attested to the fact that the technology being deployed by the militants to destroy oil installations is high tech.
“The way they can go on high sea and international waters and target oil installations is a national problem. It is affecting development,” the president lamented at a dinner held last month in the Presidential Villa.
Meanwhile, on Monday the 4th of July 2016, Eric Omare, leader of the Ijaw Youth Council, said that the federal government has not taken any practical step towards resolving issues with the NDA, and had failed to build on goodwill generated by the the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu’s recent visit to the region. This has consequently led to resumed attacks in the region.
