By Charles Ozoemena & Hector Igbikiowubo
Posted to the Web: Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Senior Special Assistant to President Obasanjo on Media, Mrs. Oluremi Oyo, said yesterday that the parley followed Monday’s release of all the oil workers held hostage in the Niger Delta.

Her words: “The meeting of the Leaders of Thought of the Niger Delta coastal states will deliberate on issues of engagement with the relevant groups in the region, dialogue, confidence building, employment creation and the rebuilding of the wholesome community spirit in the region.

“To this end, the President has invited all stakeholders including traditional rulers, elected officials, community leaders, youth leaders and other relevant leaders and stakeholders within the community to the high level-meeting.”

Glad to be home, says released hostage

Meanwhile, a British oil worker released by Ijaw militants on Monday spoke yesterday about his “huge relief” to be back home in Britain and thanked those who played a part in securing his freedom.

Security expert John Hudspith (Briton) and US oilmen Cody Oswald and Russell Spell were released to officials in Warri, Monday, after holding them captive in the swamps of the Niger Delta for more than five weeks.

Hudspith said: “My release is a huge relief and I am glad now to be home in the UK with my family. Knowing how much my family would be thinking of me helped me through this difficult time. My thanks go to all those responsible for securing my release and all those that played a part, however small.”

In a statement released by the Foreign Office, the former hostage added: “I ask now that you afford me and my family some privacy so that we can move forward with our lives.”

The hostages were among nine foreign workers who were kidnapped on February 18 by heavily-armed militants fighting for control of the Delta’s oil resources. The other six captives were released after just a week.

Nigeria loses $1.4bn

The Nigerian economy incurred a loss of $1.4 billion in the 40 days of shut-in of over 620,000 barrels as a result of damage to crude oil and gas production facilities and kidnapping by militants in the Niger Delta.

Federal Government yesterday also gave indication that plans were in the works for a radical intervention to restore confidence while noting that up to 370,000 barrels per day of the affected shut-in production could be recovered within the next one month, with 120,000 barrels capable of coming on stream in one week.

Dr Edmund Daukoru, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, had said during the 40-day period, about 24 million barrels of crude oil valued at about $1.4 billion were deferred. This figure represents about nine per cent of the N1.8 trillion appropriated for 2006 fiscal year.