In light of the renewed relationship between Nigeria and the US, a fresh warning has emerged from the US state department about travels to Nigeria by US citizens. Below is the release dated 24^th May 2010;

US State Department - The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria and continues to recommend U.S. citizens to avoid all but essential travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers; the Southeastern states of Abia, Edo, and Imo; and the city of Jos in Plateau State, because of the risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks in these areas. Violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as well as by persons wearing police and military uniforms, is a problem throughout the country.  This replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dated July 17, 2009, to update information on violent activity and crime in Nigeria.

Since January 2009, over 111 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Nigeria, including 18 in 2010.  Six foreign nationals were killed in connection with these abductions; two U.S. citizens were killed in separate abduction attempts in Port Harcourt in April 2010.  Local authorities and expatriate businesses operating in Nigeria believe that the number of kidnapping incidents throughout Nigeria is underreported. 

A loose alliance of militant groups in the Niger Delta region has conducted a number of attacks against oil installations and posts of the Nigerian military’s Joint Task Force (JTF), which had attempted to close the militant camps. In June 2009, the Federal Government of Nigeria offered unconditional amnesty to any militant willing to surrender his/her arms and accept the government’s amnesty program.  While almost all major militant leaders accepted the offer and the amnesty remains in effect, the potential for violence and the risk of kidnapping remains high.  Violent incidents involving “ex-militants” continue. 

Travel by foreigners to areas considered by the Nigerian government to be conflict areas without prior consultation and coordination with local security authorities is not recommended, as the Nigerian government may see this activity as inappropriate and potentially illegal and it may detain violators. Nigerian authorities detained six U.S. citizens, including journalists, on six occasions, in areas where militant groups had operated in 2008. The Nigerian government interrogated these U.S. citizens for lengthy periods of time without bringing any formal charges before ultimately deporting them. Journalists are required to obtain a special accreditation from the Ministry of Information prior to traveling to conflict areas in the Niger Delta region states. This special accreditation is in addition to the general press accreditation and a valid Nigerian visa which are required to conduct such activities elsewhere in Nigeria.

Many foreign oil companies operating in the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers have implemented “essential travel only” policies for their personnel. The U.S. Mission currently requires advance permission for U.S. government travel to these states, as well as the states of Abia, Edo, and Imo, and the city of Jos in Plateau State, given the safety and security risk assessments and the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General’s limited ability to provide assistance to people detained by Nigerian authorities in these states. U.S. citizens who are resident in these states are advised to review their personal security in light of the information contained in this Travel Warning.

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society in which different ethnic and religious groups often coexist in the same geographic area. Travelers throughout the country should be aware that, in areas where such circumstances prevail, there is the potential for ethnic or religious-based disturbances. The States of Bauchi, Borno, and Plateau have experienced violence by fringe sects or inter-ethnic groups in the past year.

Violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as well as by some persons wearing police and military uniforms, is an ongoing problem throughout the country, especially at night. Visitors and resident U.S. citizens have experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglary, carjacking, rape, kidnappings, and extortion - often involving violence. Home invasions remain a serious threat, with armed robbers accessing even guarded compounds by scaling perimeter walls; following, or tailgating, residents or visitors arriving by car into the compound; subduing guards and gaining entry into homes or apartments.

Armed robbers in Lagos also access waterfront compounds by boat. U.S. citizens, as well as Nigerians and other expatriates, have been victims of armed robbery at banks and grocery stores and on airport roads during both daylight and evening hours. Law enforcement authorities usually respond slowly or not at all, and provide little or no investigative support to victims. U.S. citizens, Nigerians and other expatriates have experienced harassment and shakedowns at checkpoints and during encounters with Nigerian law enforcement officials. Traveling outside of major cities after dark is not recommended due to both crime and road safety concerns. 

U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nigeria are strongly advised to register through the State.  U.S. citizens without internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for up-to-date information on any restrictions.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja is open Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos is open Monday-Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja can be reached by telephone, including after-hours emergencies, at [234(9) 461-4000]. The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos can be reached by telephone, including after-hours emergencies at [234(1) 460-3600] or [234 (1) 460-3400].

You may also visit the U.S. Mission’s web site.  

U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s most recent Country Specific Information for Nigeria and the Worldwide Caution, which are located on the State Department’s website. 

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Source: US Dept of State Consular Affairs

Calabar - Nigeria’s huge fiscal deficit, rising domestic debt, depletion of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and the distress in the banking sector are issues that urgently need the attention of the new cabinet as ministers settle into office.

This was the observation of former Minister of Finance and Director at the World Bank, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

She also said the 2010 budget, based on an oil price of $67 per barrel and production of 2.35 million barrels per day, might be unrealistic leading to more borrowing and larger deficit.

In an address titled “Safe-guarding Nigeria’s Fiscal Health: Some Considerations for the Present and the Future” she delivered to mark the 24th and 25th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar yesterday, Okonjo-Iweala stated that while ECA was rightly used to meet the shortfall in revenues caused by low oil prices, the worrying signs in terms of fiscal deficit and depletion cannot be ignored.

Policy actions should therefore be tailored in such a way to immediately tackle these issues, she suggested. The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should get the ball rolling by focusing on results, she advised.  

“Policy actions must focus on keeping the exchange rate flexible and market-based in order to help spur diversification; curbing the fiscal deficit and keeping an eye on debt increases, especially in domestic debt; and managing the bank recapitalization exercise with the utmost transparency and fairness,” she said.

Nigeria’s macroeconomic and structural reforms implemented from 2003 to 2006  helped it to weather the global economic crisis, she explained. However, action must be taken to remedy the current problems undermining major gains of the past.

The former finance minister disclosed that the ECA which was $20.1 billion at the end of 2008 has reduced to $7.8 billion as at December 2009. Also, Federal Government’s domestic debt amounted to N1.75 trillion naira or US$13.6 billion at the end of 2006.  By the end of 2009, it had virtually doubled to N3.23 trillion or US$21.8

States have also borrowed heavily, with some floating bonds and “getting into trouble,” she said. The domestic borrowing of states should be monitored and information on how much states have borrowed should be made available, she advised.

Okonjo-Iweala argued that it is not entirely true that huge domestic debt does not matter because research indicates that some might be held by non-resident investors. She noted that for instance, a 2008 IMF report on private capital flows to Sub-Saharan Africa estimates that about 20 per cent of Nigerian government domestic debt is held by foreigners.

Furthermore, she argued her case by stating that domestic matters because “higher fiscal deficits financed by selling domestic bonds could crowd out private investment.  Banks and other financial intermediaries would prefer to invest in ‘safe’ government bonds than make ‘risky’ loans to the corporate sector.”

She went on to explain that the ratio of domestic debt to GDP halved from 19.2 per cent in 2000 to about 9.2 percent in 2008; but then rose to 12.5 percent of GDP by the end of 2009.  That means domestic debt increased to $4.3 billion during 2009 reaching $21.76 billion by the end of last year.

She also argued that real interest rates paid by the government on its domestic debt rose sharply in 2009 to 11 per cent given the sharp decline in the inflation.  This will have an adverse effect on what she described as debt dynamics given slow growth, she explained.

On the 2010 budget, she said that if oil revenue assumptions of $67 are not met, the country would be forced to dip into an already depleted ECA, leading to more borrowings and larger deficits.

•On banks, she advised there should be better supervision which could be achieved through Nigeria modernizing infrastructure for accounting, financial reporting, collateral registration and credit rating.

•Also, “Nigeria must take steps to avoid situations where good fiscal policy resulting in growing ECA assets is undone by bad loans on the balance sheets of banks, as we have already seen to some extent. While the authorities are taking decisive steps to manage this crisis effectively and contain its fiscal costs, the lesson is clear: prevention is better and less costly than cure.

•“The whole Asset Management Company process needs to be handled transparently, effectively and quickly with three goals: restoring confidence to the banking sector; resolving the banks quickly so that lending to the private sector resumes; and minimizing the chances of a repeat crisis,” she said.

source - thisdayonline

photo - Trendy Africa

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