NIGERIAN OIL POLITICS
Abuja not serious about peace, Delta leaders say
Kingdom of Gbaramatu, Nigeria — The Nigerian government’s efforts to secure peace in the oil heartlands of the Niger Delta are empty promises, community leaders say, threatening a return to violence that would derail any broader recovery in the crude-dependent economy. With Africa’s biggest economy mired in recession, delegations including acting president Yemi Osinbajo have held talks since February with community leaders in the restive oil-producing states in the country’s southeast region. Oil exports are now set to exceed 2-million barrels per day (bpd) in August, the highest in 17 months, from as little as just more than 1-million bpd at certain points last year. That is due to a steady decline in attacks on pipelines, providing a much-needed injection of cash into Nigerian government coffers. But former militants and local chieftains say that since those "town hall" discussions, little has been done — the government has not followed up on issues raised, is stalling on key dema...
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