Niger Delta: Government To Acquire Helicopters

DORA AKUNYILI

Abuja (THEWILL) - Information minister, Dr. Dora Akunyili has said that Nigeria will purchase five used Super Puma helicopters from France to help it improve security in the Niger Delta region and assist Nigerian soldiers in their peacekeeping missions.

The helicopters which will be purchased by the ministry of defence will cost $102 million US dollars about 68.7 million euros.

Nigeria’s oil reserves are located in the creeks of the Niger Delta which until recently was a hotbed of violence, war and kidnap. The government’s amnesty deal though still a bit shaky has helped improve oil production.

The country currently produces about 1.7 million barrels of crude per day and may attain 2.2 million barrels before the end of the year.

A faction of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta had last week warned the government against meeting with a group of elders called the ‘Aaron Team’ nominated by MEND leader, Henry Okah. The break away faction threatened that its continued dialogue with the group could jeopardize the peace deal.

The Nigerian Army last week denied it was increasing troops and arms supply in the region.

Oil minister, Rilwanu Lukman says Nigeria can attain its 3.3 million barrel per day capacity if the relative calm is sustained.