Blasts reported at Shell, Agip facilities in southern Nigeria

[maddezmom]

LAGOS (AFP) - Two explosions have been reported at oil company sites in southern Nigeria, one at a Shell facility in Port Harcourt, and a second one at property belonging to Agip of Italy, industry sources said.

"An explosion happened in Port Harcourt. It affected one Shell facility. I don't know which facility exactly. We are still awaiting details," an official with the Anglo-Dutch giant told AFP Monday, asking to remain anonymous.

Industry sources said the Shell blast happened in the company's residential zone and that initial reports indicated there were no casualties.

Similarly, a Western diplomat told AFP that his Italian counterparts had not so far received any reports of casualties in the Agip attack either.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061218/wl_africa_afp/nigeriaoilunrestshell

[Mojorabbit]

1. I refused to let my hubby to there

to give free medical care this year. I feel guilty about it but they could not guarantee his safety. I am hoping things settle down so he can go next year.

[Javaman]

2. Watch as this is used as an excuse to raise gas prices. nt

[sofa king]

3. I wonder if we can blame the Iraq war?

I'm serious. Until recently, companies like Halliburton made good money fielding corporate mercenary forces to protect oil facilities in Africa.

These days, I suspect that they're making better money in Iraq. So who, if anyone, is minding the store in Nigeria these days?

(Note that I'm not speaking up in support of corporate armed forces. I'm merely noting the fact that corporate armed forces have until recently been responsible for protecting oil facilities in Africa, and now someone is blowing those facilities up.)